As a gardening and landscaping expert, I can tell you that verbena plants are not known for their long lifespan. While they are considered perennials, meaning they can live for more than two years, they typically only come back for two or three years before their vigor starts to decline. This means that you may need to replant or propagate new verbenas every few years to ensure a continuous display in your garden.
One effective way to ensure that you have your favorite verbenas again next year is by taking cuttings in late summer or early fall. This is a relatively simple process that involves selecting healthy, non-flowering stems and cutting them just below a node (where leaves attach to the stem). Remove any lower leaves and dip the cut end in a rooting hormone to encourage root development. Plant the cuttings in a well-draining potting mix and keep them consistently moist until roots develop. Once the cuttings have established roots, you can either keep them as potted plants indoors over winter or transplant them into your garden.
Another method to propagate verbenas is by division. This can be done in early spring or fall when the plant is dormant. Gently dig up the plant and separate the clumps into smaller sections, making sure each section has roots and foliage. Replant the divisions in well-prepared soil and water thoroughly. This method can help rejuvenate older verbenas and allow you to spread them throughout your garden.
It’s important to note that while verbenas may not come back reliably year after year, they can self-seed in some cases. This means that if you allow the plants to go to seed, new seedlings may sprout up in the following growing season. However, self-seeding can be unpredictable, and the resulting plants may not be identical to the parent plant in terms of color or growth habit.
In my personal experience, I have found that taking cuttings and dividing verbenas have been effective methods to ensure their return each year. By regularly refreshing my stock of verbenas through propagation, I have been able to maintain a vibrant and colorful display in my garden without relying solely on the longevity of the original plants.
While verbenas are considered perennials, they typically only come back for two or three years. To ensure their return, you can take cuttings in late summer or early fall or divide the plants in early spring or fall. These methods allow you to propagate new verbenas and maintain a consistent display in your garden.
