To keep verbena blooming all summer, it’s important to provide proper care and maintenance throughout the season. Here are some tips to help you achieve continuous blooming:
1. Pinching: One of the best ways to encourage branching and ensure a full, bushy plant is by regularly pinching back the verbena tips. This involves removing the top few inches of growth from each stem using your fingers or shears. Pinching should be done regularly, especially when the plant is young and actively growing. It helps to promote lateral growth and prevent the plant from becoming leggy.
2. Deadheading: To prolong the blooming period of verbena, it’s essential to deadhead spent flowers. This involves removing faded or wilted blooms from the plant. Deadheading not only improves the overall appearance of the plant but also encourages the production of new flower buds. Regular deadheading will keep the verbena blooming profusely throughout the summer.
3. Pruning: Verbena plants can become lanky or overgrown if not pruned regularly. When flowering slows down or the plant becomes leggy, a more severe pruning may be required. In such cases, it’s recommended to cut back the height of the plant by about 1/4. This will encourage new growth and rejuvenate the plant, resulting in a fresh flush of blooms. After pruning, it’s important to fertilize and water the verbena thoroughly to promote healthy regrowth.
4. Fertilizing: Verbena plants are heavy feeders and benefit from regular fertilization. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the beginning of the growing season or use a liquid fertilizer every few weeks during the active growth period. This will provide the necessary nutrients to sustain healthy foliage and abundant blooms. Be sure to follow the package instructions for proper application rates.
5. Watering: Verbena plants prefer consistently moist soil, so regular watering is essential. Water deeply, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings. However, avoid overwatering, as verbena plants are susceptible to root rot. Mulching around the base of the plant can help retain moisture and regulate soil temperature, ensuring optimal growing conditions.
6. Fall and Spring Pruning: To maintain the long-term health and shape of perennial verbena, it’s important to trim them lightly in the fall and harder in the spring. Lightly pruning in the fall helps tidy up the plants and removes any dead or diseased growth. In spring, a more thorough pruning can be done to remove any winter damage and promote fresh growth. This will help rejuvenate the plant and encourage vigorous blooming throughout the summer months.
Personal Experience:
I have been growing verbena in my garden for several years now, and implementing these practices has greatly improved the plant’s performance. Regular pinching has resulted in compact, bushy plants with an abundance of blooms. Deadheading has significantly extended the blooming period, allowing me to enjoy vibrant flowers throughout the summer. Pruning in both fall and spring has helped maintain the plant’s shape and overall health, ensuring consistent blooming year after year. Additionally, providing adequate fertilization and watering has kept my verbena plants lush and vibrant, enhancing their beauty in the garden.
