As a gardening and landscaping expert, I strongly recommend deadheading verbena plants, especially the annual varieties like the one you have. Deadheading refers to the process of removing the faded or spent flowers from a plant. By doing so, you not only improve the overall appearance of the verbena, but also encourage it to produce more flowers throughout its growing season.
When verbena flowers fade and die, they form long stems with the old flowers at the end. These stems can look untidy and detract from the beauty of the plant. By deadheading, you can remove these long stems, leaving behind a neater and more visually appealing plant.
In addition to the aesthetic benefits, deadheading can also stimulate the verbena to produce more flowers. When you remove the spent flowers, it sends a signal to the plant to redirect its energy towards producing new blooms. This can result in a longer blooming period and a greater abundance of flowers.
To deadhead verbena, simply pinch or cut off the stems with the faded flowers. You can do this individually as the flowers fade, or wait until the majority of the flowers on the plant have faded and then deadhead them all at once. Be sure to use clean and sharp pruners or scissors to make clean cuts, reducing the risk of damage or disease transmission.
It’s worth noting that deadheading is particularly important for annual verbena varieties, as they typically have a shorter lifespan compared to perennial verbena. Perennial verbena plants often have a self-cleaning habit, meaning they naturally shed their faded flowers without the need for deadheading. However, it’s still beneficial to remove any particularly unsightly or oversized faded flowers from perennial verbena.
In my personal experience, deadheading verbena has always yielded excellent results. The plants look much tidier and more attractive after deadheading, and they continue to produce new flowers for a longer period of time. It’s a simple task that requires minimal effort, but the rewards in terms of improved appearance and increased flower production are well worth it.
Deadheading verbena is highly recommended, especially for annual varieties. It improves the plant’s appearance, encourages more flower production, and is a simple and satisfying task for any gardener. So go ahead and give your verbena a little TLC by deadheading those spent flowers!
