As a gardening and landscaping expert, I can confidently say that verbena flowers are technically perennials. This means that, given the right conditions and care, they can come back year after year. However, in practical terms, many gardeners treat verbena as annuals.
The reason for this is that verbena plants often struggle to survive the winter in colder climates. They are native to warmer regions, such as South America and North Africa, where they can thrive as perennials. But in areas with harsh winters, verbena plants are often unable to withstand the cold temperatures and frost.
Therefore, most gardeners choose to grow verbena as annuals. They purchase young plants from the garden center in spring, when the threat of frost has passed, and enjoy their beautiful blooms throughout the summer. Once the first frost arrives in autumn, the verbena plants are unable to survive, and they die off.
While it is possible to try overwintering verbena plants indoors or protecting them with mulch and other insulation, it can be a challenging and uncertain process. Many gardeners find it easier and more reliable to simply replace their verbena plants each year.
Personally, I have encountered mixed success with overwintering verbena plants. In milder winters, I have been able to successfully protect them and have them come back the following year. However, in colder winters, despite my best efforts, the verbena plants did not survive.
It’s worth noting that there are different varieties of verbena, and some may be hardier than others. For example, the Homestead Purple verbena is known for its ability to survive in colder climates and may have a better chance of coming back as a perennial.
While verbena flowers are technically perennials, most gardeners treat them as annuals due to their difficulty in surviving cold winters. However, with proper protection and care, it is possible to overwinter verbena plants and have them come back year after year.
