Do I need to cut back Verbena bonariensis?
Verbena can be deadheaded throughout the flowering period, but it is best to wait until spring for a major cut back. Leave the seed heads in place to provide cover for wildlife and food for the birds, then once new growth begins to shoot from the base, cut back the old woody growth from the previous year. Verbena blooms best in a spot that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Also choose a location with well-draining soil, since verbena hates wet feet. Sandy or loamy soil is ideal. If your soil is heavy, amend it with compost before planting.Verbenas require a location that receives full sun throughout the day. They must have well-drained soil. They will not tolerate overcrowding with poor air circulation, shade or soil that stays overly moist. Most problems of verbenas occur in improper growing conditions.Not enough sunlight is usually the problem when verbena plants do not bloom, and the solution is easy: just move the plant to a sunny spot. verbena plants need room to spread out, and if grown in too small of a container, the plant may fail to bloom.Verbena Care Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot and other fungal diseases. Fertilizer: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring and mid-summer to encourage healthy growth and flowering. Alternatively, you can use a water-soluble fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season.Use just plain water. If there’s life left in the verbena, it should perk up or send out new shoots within a few days. Assuming that happens, snip off any dead branches and keep watering.
Do I cut back Verbena bonariensis in autumn?
Deadheading isn’t necessary, but it can encourage a second flush of blooms. In cold conditions, Verbena bonariensis can suffer dieback if cut back in autumn, so it’s best to leave the plant until spring. As an example of a good reason why it is important to give lemon verbena plant a little bit of time to acclimate, I dug mine right before a freeze and brought it inside. That’s why it dropped its leaves. Thankfully, watering it well and putting it in a sunny window was enough for it to bounce back.Verbena bonariensis usually lives for several years but can succumb to a hard frost.
What to do with Verbena bonariensis in winter rhs?
In cold conditions, it can suffer dieback if cut back in autumn, so it’s best to leave the plant until spring and cut back the old growth when you see the new shoots emerging at the base. Also it’s a good idea to mulch around the base of the plant with a deep, dry mulch in winter to help protect the plant. In cold conditions, Verbena bonariensis can suffer dieback if cut back in autumn, so it’s best to leave the plant until spring. How far to cut back Verbena bonariensis depends on the time of year. We advise cutting back the old growth to approximately 15cm (6in) when you see new shoots emerging at the base.
Why is my Verbena bonariensis dying?
If your Verbena bonariensis plants die over winter, they may have succumbed to cold, wet conditions. If you struggle to keep plants alive in the colder months, taking cuttings in autumn ensures you have new plants ready for spring. Annual Verbena plants can be cut back in the fall. Perennial Verbena will grow year-round in subtropical climates. In this type of environment, it is only necessary to trim back dead growth as it occurs. In most other regions, perennial Verbenas will need to overwinter.Bedding verbenas are generally considered temporary summer plants and discarded in autumn. However, you can take cuttings in late summer, to grow into new plants for the following year, as long as you have space to keep them frost-free over winter (see Propagating, below).Verbena plants are good for planters and hanging baskets, making them a versatile plant to feature in just about any outdoor space. Upright varieties can provide height to a planter, while trailing varieties look amazing as they gently cascade over the edge of a hanging basket.