Garden verbena: 15 best varieties with descriptions and characteristics + photo

Growing garden vervain is a simple and fun process. This is a picky perennial plant that will become a real decoration of the flower bed. Verbena has a long flowering period. With the timely removal of wilted buds, it is possible to maintain the attractiveness of the culture almost until the very frost. To achieve good results, vervain should be given quality care.

General description of vervain

Verbena is a herbaceous and semi-shrub culture, which is actively used for decorative purposes. Today there are about 120 varieties of this plant. At the same time, gardeners can choose annual or perennial crops.

The key advantage of culture is its unpretentiousness. It easily tolerates the effects of low temperatures and is able to withstand frosts down to -4 degrees. The crop is planted in open ground or an ampel variety is chosen for growing in pots.

The height of the bushes can reach 1-1.2 meters. The stems are different. There are creeping and prostrate options. Verbena can also be upright, smooth or drooping.

The appearance of the leaves is also different. They may have the following varieties:

whole;
dissected;
rare - whorled;
toothed;
notched;
oval-elongated.

Flowers are also diverse. They can be collected in brushes, ears or panicles. In appearance, the flowers resemble a five-pronged calyx or a five-lobed corolla.

What colors can be?

The color scheme of these charming plants is striking in its diversity. There are such shades of culture:

blue;
dark blue;
white;
yellow;
pink;
white.

Popular varieties and types

Verbena is a popular perennial. However, in regions that are characterized by a temperate climate, the crop is cultivated as an annual. Today, many types of vervain are known, which differ in appearance and main characteristics.

Lemon

This fragrant shrub reaches 1.5-2 meters in height. It has olive-brown stems that begin to branch from the very base. They are covered with whorls of whole bright green leaves.If you rub the foliage, a pleasant spicy smell will appear, in which citrus and mint notes are felt. That is why the variety is called lemon.

Buenos Aires

This variety of verbena is considered tall. In height, it reaches 1.2-1.5 meters. Verbena Buenos Aires produces many shoots that are highly durable and easily hold many inflorescences. Culture does not require tying.

Buenos Aires variety has small purple-lilac flowers. They form umbrella inflorescences. Culture blooms until late autumn. It is worth collecting seeds in mid-September. When growing a plant in seedlings, it will begin to bloom in July. If seeds are sown directly into the soil in May, the crop will flower in August.

This plant is grown in different types of soil. It easily tolerates a slight shadow. Under favorable conditions, it will be possible to obtain large openwork bushes, which reach 1-1.5 meters in diameter. Although this plant is considered a perennial, it is often grown as an annual.

Bonarskaya

This semi-shrub has erect stems. In height, they reach 1-1.2 meters. Bonar verbena is actively used for decorative purposes. The shoots are distinguished by a slightly branched structure. They are covered with openwork emerald leaves and dense purple buds.

Hybrid Ideal

This beautiful hybrid variety is considered undersized. In height, it reaches 30 centimeters. The color scheme of plants is striking in its diversity. Verbena variety Ideal has blue, red, white, pink flowers. There are also cherry and purple shades.

The plant has many spherical inflorescences. Their diameter does not exceed 5 centimeters. The plant is characterized by rapid vegetative growth. Flowering begins in June and continues until October. The culture is actively used to decorate flower beds and create floral arrangements.

Thinly dissected

This variety of verbena is also called marsh. It grows in South America like a weed. The plant has split leaves. Finely dissected verbena has delicate purple flowers. Their diameter is 1.4-1.5 centimeters. The culture has creeping stems.

Tough

The plant got its name due to the peculiarities of the leaves. They are tough and have sharp tips. Culture begins to bloom in July. This process continues until September. Verbena of this variety is distinguished by lilac flowers that form hemispherical inflorescences. The culture is resistant to frost. In height, it reaches 35-45 centimeters.

Spear-shaped

North America is the birthplace of this culture. There it grows along the banks of rivers and lakes. Therefore, it is recommended to grow the plant on moist soils that have a rich composition. Verbena can survive the winter in the ground only in Europe.

The plant looks graceful. In height, it reaches 1.5 meters. The culture has small purple or blue flowers that form elongated inflorescences. They are shaped like a spear. That is why verbena is called spear-shaped. It serves as a real decoration of gardens in natural style.

Hybrid Quirk

This variety was created from several species. This is a herbaceous plant that does not exceed 50 centimeters in height. Culture gives a lot of side shoots. The leaves are covered with a small fluff and are shaped like a triangle. Variety Prichuda has a wide color palette.

The variety was obtained from several species. The plant is herbaceous, its height reaches 50 centimeters, has many side shoots.

Straight

This verbena is considered relatively winter-hardy. It is widely distributed in the central United States. Grayish leaves are considered a characteristic feature of the culture.Straight verbena has lavender inflorescences that resemble a spikelet in shape. Culture easily withstands a temperate climate, provided shelter for the winter.

Julia

The plant of this variety is covered with violet-purple flowers, in the center of which are white eyes. Culture begins to bloom in the second half of June. The height of the bush plant reaches 40 centimeters.

Mammut

This is one of the older varieties. Its flowers, unlike many modern hybrids, have a pronounced aroma. The plant is distinguished by creeping stems, the length of which reaches 50 centimeters. The inflorescences are large and have a slightly elongated shape. This plant is great for planting in pots and vases.

Etna

This is a bush plant that reaches 0.5 meters in height. It is characterized by dense inflorescences, which are shaped like an umbrella.The flowers are small and have a bright red hue. Inside is a cream-colored star-shaped eye. The culture begins to bloom quite early - already in May.

Criteria for plant selection

To purchase verbena seedlings, you should contact a specialized store. The consultant will give detailed instructions for growing the plant.

You can also get advice on the variety of verbena. It is recommended to choose it depending on your tasks. Verbena is actively used for decorating borders, creating an alpine slide, planting in flower pots.

Popular crops include:

Large-flowered. These are tall plants that reach 45 centimeters. The stems may be erect or spread along the ground. Inflorescences form baskets. The most popular varieties of this species include: Etna, Julia, Cardinal.
Compact. These are hybrid varieties that have a small height - no more than 25 centimeters. The culture is characterized by a neat crown and small flower stalks. These varieties are great for decorating small flower beds, borders or paths. Popular representatives of the category include: Crystal, Dazler, Amethyst.

Regardless of the choice of variety, vervain will become a real decoration of the flower bed. It is also used for decoration and after cutting. This plant retains its beautiful appearance for 10-15 days.

Using vervain in landscape design

Most often, verbena is used to decorate flower beds, garden plots, flower beds. It is used for all kinds of group plantings. Verbena often decorates balconies and loggias. It is planted in gazebos or placed on verandas. Flowerpots with this plant effectively decorate summer pavilions.

Verbena is often used in landscape design due to its extensive color range. This culture can be combined with any other flowers. She looks great with simple wildflowers and exotic plants.

Verbena is a very popular plant that serves as a real decoration of garden plots and flower beds. In order to choose the right variety of this crop, it is worth considering its purpose. The plant differs in height, appearance of leaves, shades of flowers.