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How to Grow Red Verbena Quartz Scarlet

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Red Verbena Quartz Scarlet

Verbena × hybrida 'Quartz Scarlet'

flower

Red Verbena Quartz Scarlet is a vibrant hybrid verbena cultivar producing brilliant scarlet-red flowers in dense clusters. This compact, heat-tolerant annual blooms prolifically from late spring through fall with minimal deadheading. It's an excellent choice for borders, containers, and landscapes seeking continuous color impact.

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Example Red Verbena Quartz Scarlet timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Red Verbena Quartz Scarlet

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. First Red Verbena Quartz Scarlet blooms

    Around Jun 16

    ≈ 60 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Red Verbena Quartz Scarlet dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours minimum daily; performs best with 8+ hours
💧
Water: Moderate watering; allow soil to dry slightly between waterings. Once established, quite drought-tolerant. Avoid overwatering, which causes root rot and powdery mildew. Water at soil level, not foliage.
📏
Spacing: 12-15 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 60-75 days from transplant to first bloom
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Planting depth: Surface sow seeds (light-dependent germination); transplants at same depth as nursery container

Soil

Type: Well-draining sandy loam to loamy soil
pH: 6.0-7.0
Amendments:
Compost or aged manure for organic matter Perlite or sand if soil tends to retain moisture Balanced granular fertilizer at planting

Growing Zones

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Annual in zones 3-10; best performance in zones 5-10 with consistent warmth

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a

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Growth Stages

1

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny cotyledons emerge within 7-14 days. True leaves develop slowly over 2-3 weeks with a fuzzy, somewhat trailing appearance.

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide 14-16 hours of bright light daily under grow lights. Maintain 70-75°F temperatures. Avoid fungal issues with good air circulation.

2

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks

Plant develops multiple stems and a mounding habit. Foliage becomes denser and darker green. Stems begin to trail slightly or mound depending on spacing.

Harden off before transplanting outdoors over 7-10 days. Apply balanced fertilizer every 2 weeks. Pinch back stems when 3-4 inches tall to encourage bushier growth. Keep soil evenly moist but not soggy.

3

Flowering Initiation

1-2 weeks

First flower buds appear at stem tips. Dense clusters (umbels) of tiny individual flowers begin to form, appearing as tight red buds.

Continue regular watering and fertilizing (shift to slightly higher potassium formula to encourage blooming). Ensure full sun exposure. Remove any dead or diseased foliage.

4

Peak Bloom

8-12 weeks (or until frost)

Abundant, brilliant scarlet-red flower clusters completely cover the plant. Individual flowers open progressively within each cluster, creating continuous color throughout the season.

Deadhead spent flower clusters to encourage continuous blooming (though this variety is self-cleaning). Water during dry spells; soil should dry slightly between waterings. Apply diluted fertilizer every 3-4 weeks. Pinch back leggy stems to maintain compact form.

5

Late Season

Until first frost

Blooming continues into fall even as temperatures cool. Plant gradually slows as frost approaches; flowers may fade in extended cold periods.

Continue watering and light fertilizing. Remove spent flowers to maintain appearance. In zones 3-7, prepare for frost damage or plant death. In zones 8-10, verbena may overwinter but will decline; replant for best results next season.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Salvia Dusty Miller Sanvitalia Calibrachoa Angelonia Russian Sage Zinnias Marigolds Celosia

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Dill Cabbage family plants in very tight spacing (verbena can compete strongly for resources)

Common Pests

  • Spray foliage with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap or neem oil if severe. Increase humidity and air circulation.

  • Yellow sticky traps; spray undersides of leaves with insecticidal soap or neem oil every 7-10 days. Encourage natural predators.

  • Avoid wetting foliage; improve air circulation. Apply sulfur dust or fungicide spray at first signs. Remove heavily affected leaves.

  • and

    Hand-pick at dawn/dusk; use beer traps. Apply diatomaceous earth or copper tape barriers around planting beds.

  • Remove infested leaves; prune affected stems. Spinosad or insecticidal soap if population is large.

Uses

🏠

Cut Flowers & Floral Arrangements

Household

The vibrant scarlet flower clusters make striking additions to fresh bouquets and floral designs. They hold well in water for a week and add bold color impact to mixed arrangements or massed displays. [source]

🦋

Pollinator Attraction

Wildlife

Verbena flowers are highly attractive to butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. The abundant small flowers provide excellent nectar sources throughout the growing season, making it valuable for pollinator gardens. [source]

🏠

Container & Landscape Color

Household

The compact, mounding habit and prolific scarlet blooms make this cultivar ideal for hanging baskets, window boxes, borders, and mass plantings. It provides season-long color with minimal maintenance. [source]

💊

Herbal Tea & Traditional Medicine

Medicinal

Verbena species have a long history in herbal medicine for immune support and relaxation. Tea made from verbena flowers and foliage is used traditionally for its potential soothing properties. [source]

🎨

Dried Flower Projects

Craft

Verbena flowers dry well and retain their brilliant color, making them suitable for dried arrangements, pressed flower crafts, and herbal potpourri. [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 Quartz Scarlet is ornamental; deadhead spent flower clusters to encourage continuous blooming. Pinch stems regularly for bushier growth. For cut flower arrangements, harvest flower clusters in early morning when fully open but before heat stress. Flowers last 5-7 days in a vase with fresh water changed daily.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 The name 'Verbena' comes from ancient Roman times when the plant was considered sacred and used in religious ceremonies and purification rites.
  • 🌱 Verbena Quartz series was bred to be especially heat and drought tolerant, making it ideal for challenging garden conditions and climates with water restrictions.
  • 🌱 Despite being a hybrid, modern Verbena × hybrida cultivars like 'Quartz Scarlet' are self-cleaning, meaning they drop spent flowers automatically and bloom continuously without deadheading—though removing old clusters encourages even more blooms.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Annual Cultivar Deadhead Full Sun Hybrid Pinch Back Transplant True Leaves
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