Growing Verbena bonariensis from seed
- BBC Gardeners' World Magazine
Published: Friday, 8 March 2019 at 1:12 pm
Grow Verbena bonariensis from seed, for months of prairie-style, tall flowers that butterflies adore.
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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.
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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
Verbena bonariensis in bloom, planted with grasses and rudbeckia
Growing tall on strong, wiry stems, Verbena bonariensis can be planted in with a variety of different plants. It works particularly well when used in prairie-style planting, in conjunction with other prairie plants such as rudbeckia and ornamental grasses.
Sowing seeds of Verbena bonariensis
Sowing Verbena bonariensis seeds into a pot
Seeds can be sown directly in the ground in spring, or you can start them off under glass in late-winter, and plant them outside later. For best results grow Verbena bonariensis in full sun to partial shade, in moist but well-drained soil. Incorporate plenty of organic matter into the soil before planting out and mulch plants annually with well-rotted compost or manure.
Caring for plants
Pruning a stem of verbana just above a node
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Verbena bonariensis isn't fully 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.
Kate Bradbury says
Verbena bonariensis is a fantastic late source of nectar for butterflies. Grow it in large swathes to lure them in!
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