Family: Verbenaceae
Common Name: Vervain

Verbenas are native mainly to North, Central and South America, although some species are native to southern Europe. The genus contains about 250 species of annuals, perennials and subshrubs. They may be erect or prostrate and have mainly toothed leaves and heads or spikes of tubular flowers, opening out at the mouth. Most are frost-tender and are grown for their long display of showy flowers. The V. x hybrida cultivars are highly popular for summer bed-ding. V. rigida is also used for this purpose.

Species

V. canadensis, rose verbena, is a creep­ing perennial, to 45 cm (18 in), with reddish purple, lilac, rose or white flowers.

V. x hybrida, common garden verbena, is an annual bedding plant, 30-60 cm (12-24 in) high, with cultivars in many colours, including red, mauve, violet, white and pink, some with a white eye. The flowers appear in dense clusters from summer to autumn. It also makes a pretty container plant.

V. peruviana is a semi-prostrate peren­nial, from South America, mainly grown as annual groundcover, with dense heads of scar-let flowers.

V. rigida is a perennial from South America, growing to 60 cm (24 in). Useful for rockeries, it has magenta or purpleviolet flow­ers. This species is often used for summer bedding. There are several cultivars including the white 'Alba' and the violet-blue 'Lilacina'.

Cultivation

In frost-prone climates, grow tender species in a cool to intermediate greenhouse or conservatory, in pots of gritty, soil-based pot­ting compost, and provide good light. Summer bedding and other garden plants should be planted in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Bedding plants are raised from seed sown in early spring, under glass, and germinated at 21°C (70°E). Plant out after frosts. All species can also be raised from seed in spring. Perennials can be divided in spring.

Climate

Zone 9 for most species, but zone 4 for V. canadensis.