Verbena bonariensis
DESCRIPTION
Verbena has a given role in our cut flower gardens - equally beautiful in a pot, flower bed or bouquet. The bright purple flowers float high on sturdy stems. This variety is more compact and produces more abundant blooms. Attracts bees and butterflies and will contribute to a lovely buzz in your garden. Verbena has a long development time so pre-cultivate indoors in January-March to enjoy long flowering.
Verbena is a hardy annual, meaning a summer flower that can withstand some frost and can therefore start to grow early in the season without suffering damage. These varieties can be sown in the fall, which saves you both time and space in the spring when everything is much more intensive with the cultivation.
LIFE CYCLE: ONE YEAR
HEIGHT: APPROX. 90 CM
COLOR: PURPLE
GROWING POSITION: SUN
SEEDS/BAG: APPROX. 20 PCS
PRE-CULTIVATION
SOWING TIME: JAN-MARCH + SEPT-NOV (AUTUMN SOWING)
SOWING DEPTH: 0.2 CM
GROOMING TIME: UP TO 30 DAYS
FINAL PLANTING
PLANT SPACING:30 CM
ROW SPACING: 40 CM
HARVEST FESTIVAL: APPROXIMATELY 5 MONTHS AFTER SOWING
SOWING AND REAPING VERBS
Growing location : Grown outdoors/in a flowerbed, in a pallet collar or in a larger pot in a sunny location (6-7 hours of sun/day).
AT SOWING
Sow indoors in January-March. Verbena has a long development time so it is important to start sowing early in the season. Sow the seeds shallowly in growing briquettes that you let swell with water or small pots filled with seeding soil. Water thoroughly before sowing the seeds. Press the seeds against the moist surface and cover lightly.
Mark the sowing with markers. Specify the variety and date.
Cover the seeds with a transparent cover with air holes (e.g. plastic film, a recycled plastic bag or a plastic lid with air holes). Tip – use a greenhouse and place a capillary mat in the bottom to provide an even and good water supply. The seeds need heat to germinate. Place on a heated floor, heating mat or in a window above a radiator.
Water regularly with lukewarm water – the seeds should always be moist! Verbena can take up to 30 days to germinate so it is important to ensure that the seeds are moist at all times during the germination period.
4 WEEKS AFTER SOWING
Provide light. As soon as the seed has germinated and emerged, usually after 20-30 days, it needs a lot of light. Remove the cover and place the pot in a brighter and cooler location.
TRANSPLANTATION
Replant the plant when it has grown a few cm tall. The plant is tender so handle with care. Replant in a pot measuring approximately 7x7-10x10 cm filled with potting soil. Water carefully with lukewarm water. Let the plant stand and grow before it is time to plant it out.
PLANTING
Harden off the plant when the risk of frost is over, to accustom it to the outdoor environment. Start with 1 hour/day and gradually increase the time outside. Avoid direct sunlight which is too strong for the tender leaves. After a week or so it is ready for a permanent life outdoors.
Plant the plant in its growing location, for example in a flower bed, pallet collar or pot, with 30 cm between each plant and 40 cm between each row. Plant in well-fertilized soil.
Fertilize regularly throughout the season.
HARVEST FESTIVAL
Harvest. Approximately 5 months after sowing, you can harvest beautiful purple flowers. Pick off wilted flowers regularly and you will enjoy the flower splendor well into late autumn.
