How to Grow Ornamental Verbena
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Ornamental Verbena
Verbena × hybrida
flowerOrnamental verbena is a colorful, low-growing flowering plant prized for its vibrant clusters of small blooms in shades of pink, purple, red, white, and bicolor combinations. These versatile plants are excellent for borders, containers, hanging baskets, and mass plantings, offering continuous blooms throughout the growing season. They are drought-tolerant once established and attract pollinators like butterflies and bees.
When should you plant Ornamental Verbena in your zone?
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Example Ornamental Verbena timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Ornamental Verbena
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First Ornamental Verbena blooms
Around Jun 6≈ 50 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Ornamental Verbena dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 6-9; grown as annuals in cooler zones 3-5
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Get my Ornamental Verbena timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksSmall seedlings with first true leaves appearing; delicate and low-growing.
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright light to prevent leggy growth. Thin seedlings to proper spacing once they have true leaves.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksPlant develops branching stems and foliage; still no flowers but rapid growth and leaf expansion.
Pinch back growing tips when 4-6 inches tall to encourage bushier growth and more flower buds. Maintain consistent watering but avoid overwatering.
Budding
2-3 weeksFlower buds form at branch tips in characteristic clustered formations (umbels).
Continue regular watering and maintain full sun exposure. Apply balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks to support bud development.
Flowering
8-12 weeks or until frostAbundant small flowers bloom in tight clusters, displaying full color range; plant becomes mounded and showy.
Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming. Reduce nitrogen fertilizer to avoid excessive foliage at expense of blooms. Water during dry spells.
Decline/End of Season
Variable, until first hard frostPlant growth slows in extreme heat or with first frost; flowering diminishes as temperatures cool.
In fall, reduce watering. Pull plants after hard frost in colder zones. In mild climates, cut back by half in late summer to rejuvenate for fall blooms.
Common Pests
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Improve air circulation by spacing plants properly. Avoid overhead watering. Apply sulfur dust or neem oil if needed. Remove affected leaves.
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Increase humidity by misting leaves. Spray with strong water stream to dislodge. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil for severe infestations.
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Use yellow sticky traps to monitor and control. Spray with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil. Remove heavily infested leaves.
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Hand-pick in early morning or evening. Use beer traps. Apply copper barriers or diatomaceous earth around plants.
Uses
Pollinator Magnet
WildlifeVerbena flowers attract butterflies, bees, and other beneficial pollinators throughout the blooming season. This makes it an excellent choice for pollinator gardens and supports local ecosystems. [source]
Herbal Tea
CulinaryVerbena species (particularly Aloysia citrodora, lemon verbena) can be used to make soothing herbal teas. The flowers are also edible and can garnish desserts or beverages. [source]
Traditional Herbal Remedy
MedicinalHistorically, verbena has been used in traditional medicine to support relaxation and wellness. Modern herbalists use verbena tea for its potential calming properties. [source]
Container and Landscape Color
HouseholdOrnamental verbena is ideal for hanging baskets, window boxes, borders, rock gardens, and mass plantings. Its compact growth and continuous blooms make it perfect for creating colorful displays with minimal maintenance. [source]
Cut Flowers and Floral Arrangements
CraftVerbena flowers last several days in a vase and can be used fresh or dried in floral arrangements, wreaths, and dried flower crafts. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Verbena is grown for ornamental display rather than harvest. Deadhead spent flower clusters regularly by pinching off just below the bloom cluster to promote more flowering. Flowers can be cut for fresh arrangements when fully open. In zones where verbena is perennial, cut back plants by half in late summer to rejuvenate growth.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Verbena is incredibly drought-tolerant once established, making it an excellent choice for xeriscaping and water-conscious gardens. Some varieties can thrive with minimal supplemental watering after the first season.
- 🌱 The genus Verbena has a rich history in folklore and traditional medicine, earning it names like 'herb of grace' and 'tears of Juno' in ancient cultures, where it was believed to have magical properties.
- 🌱 Modern verbena hybrids have been extensively bred to produce an astounding range of colors and patterns, from solid hues to striped and eye-centered varieties, often with more compact growth habits and improved disease resistance than wild species.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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