Verbena Hardy in Southern Gardens

Tender perennials, hardy in Southern gardens, usually grown as annuals in cooler climates. Where growing seasons are short, they should be started early indoors. March-sown seeds should begin to flower in July. Or winter over a few stock plants indoors, and root cuttings in spring for earlier bloom.

Verbenas make a splendid show in hanging baskets, or spilling over the edge of window boxes and other outdoor containers. They are not fussy about soil, require only free air circulation and full sunlight to flower their best.

Verbena bipinnatifida – Tender, trailing perennial grown as an annual, with ferny leaves and clusters of lilac flowers. Native of some Midwestern states.

Verbena hortensis – verbena hybrids – The well-known garden verbenas, with trailing stems, soft-hairy leaves, and clusters of vivid flowers sometimes with sparkling white eyes. Seeds are usually listed as “trailing verbenas,” in contrast with dwarf or bushy types, or as hybrida gigantea in a selection or red, white, pink, or salmon shades, or mixtures.

Verbena peruviana (chamaedryfolia) – Peruvian flame – Evergreen trailer offered by house and greenhouse growers for hanging baskets and summer containers. Its two-inch, crinkly leaves are roughly toothed, the flowers glowing crimson. A variation, has flowers striped with red and white, like peppermint candy.

Family: Verbenaceae

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• Verbena