Growing Verbena bonariensis from seed

Plant features

Verbena bonariensis

Verbena bonariensis flowers on tall, wiry stems and can be planted with a variety of different perennials, including grasses. It has a long flowering season, making it an ideal plant for low-maintenance gardens and herbaceous borders.

Verbena bonariensis works well in a number of garden settings, such as cottage and contemporary gardens, due to its height and airy appearance. It's also beneficial for attracting wildlife, particularly butterflies.

Design ideas

Growing tall on strong, wiry stems, Verbena bonariensis can be planted alongside a variety of different bananas, ginger lilies and bamboos.

Sowing seeds

Seeds can be sown directly in the ground in spring, or you can start them off under glass in late-winter, then pot them on to plant outside later. Verbena enjoys full sun, but tolerates dappled shade, and it's worth incorporating some organic matter into the soil before planting. Verbena also benefits from a light feed in spring with a seaweed fertiliser or chicken manure.

Verbena bonariensis is semi-hardy, so plants may be damaged by winter frosts. Protect the roots with a layer of straw or mulch in winter, and don't cut back the dead stalks until new ones have emerged in spring. If left, verbena bonariensis will self-seed freely and naturalise in borders, so any plants lost to frost should be replaced by their offspring.

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Talkback: Growing Verbena bonariensis from seed

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walter.ned 24/11/2011 at 15:27

i have one in mine garden with a combination wit peony's and tree peony's hope it will work as i planned it because the big flower of the peony's and the little flowers of the verbena will contrast (srry for my english i am from holland)

Rosemary62 24/11/2011 at 15:28

I have had this verbena in the garden for a couple of years now - it has moved from one side to the other, all by itself. This year it is a mass of butterflies all day - yesterday I counted over 17 of them at one time! My daughter now wants one in her garden too! A beautiful, structural plant - and watching the butterflies is better than watching TV!

Elli-Rose 24/11/2011 at 15:29

can anyone tell me if this is fussy about soil type? i haven't tested my soil but the marigolds have gone mad, as have the busy lizzies and sunflowers but the heathers i put in have died, don't want to lose anymore lovely plants!

Sarraceniac 24/11/2011 at 15:30

I started some from seed a couple of weeks ago after cold stratification for 3 weeks. Wasn't sure about growing them but after reading this and the comment on cannas, bamboos etc. I am sure they will go great in my garden. 7 seedlings are so far showing by the way so I am well pleased.

lazydaze 04/05/2012 at 21:22

I've been waiting with bated breath for 3 years nurturing what were feeble seedlings through to small plants only to sit cold and wet through 2 wet pennine summers and 2 bitter snow blown pennine winters... this year they are strong little plants peeping through campanula and liverwort soon to be swaying above Annabelle football size white flower heads in my front garden... Who needs a place to park! Plant more flowers!

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