Spring planting doesn’t start when the air feels warm, It...Read More
Hoary Verbena (also known as Hoary Vervain) is a lovely wildflower that is native to North American and can tolerate a wide range of climates and soil types but thrives most in full sun with well-draining soil. This perennial plant is drought tolerant, fast growing, and have almost no pest or disease issues, making them a perfect addition to long-term meadows, prairies and native plant or pollinator gardens. Hoary Verbena grows in clumps and can reach up to 4 feet in height with tiny purple flowers that open from the bottom up and last from spring through fall.
NAME: Verbena (Verbena stricta)
VARIETY: Hoary
DAYS TO MATURITY: 2 – 3 years
POLLINATION: Open Pollinated
TYPE: Perennial
HARDINESS ZONE: Zones 3 – 9
SUNLIGHT: Full Sun
SOIL: Average, well-drained soil with a pH 6.2 – 7.0
SPACING: 16 – 24 inches
PLANT HEIGHT: 24 – 48 inches
TEMP: 50 – 95ºF
Hoary Verbena seeds must be stratified before planting otherwise germination will not occur.
Mix your seeds with sterile sand or sandwiched between a wet paper towel placed in a plastic bag and put it in the refrigerator for 30 days.
After 30 days, you can immediately use the seed since it is ready for the opportunity to germinate.
To learn more about Stratification, click here!
After you have stratified your seeds, start them in cell trays or small pots with moist potting soil 2 weeks before your last local spring frost.
Keep the soil evenly moist and temperatures above 65ºF until germination occurs. Seeds will sprout in 15-20 days.
Provide seedlings with plenty of light on a sunny windowsill or under grow lights until the seedlings reach 2-3 inches in height.
Before transplanting outdoors, harden off seedlings for several days. Do this by taking them outside during the day and bringing them in at night (Outside temps should be above 50°F when you start this process).
Locate an area that receives full sun with loose, well-draining soil.
After you have stratifies your seeds, sow seeds 1/4 inch deep, spaced 2 inches apart directly into garden beds after your last local spring frost.
When seedlings sprout, thin them out so they are spaced 6 inches apart.
Once the seedlings grow to be a few inches tall, thin them out once more so they are spaced 14-24 inches apart.
Hoary Verbena is drought tolerant and likes warm weather, but regular watering will enhance its quality and performance. It does well in sandy, rocky, loamy soils.
In early Spring you can prorogate and divide the plant to transplant into other areas.
It is ideal to let the plant grow for a year or more before you start taking flowers from it so it has time to mature properly.
To harvest for cut flowers, choose flowers that have recently opened up and cut at the base of its stem.
Remove the foliage that will be below the water level in your vase or display
