How to grow Verbena bonariensis? The latest planting techniques and methods tutorial

Verbena bonariensis is also known as South American verbena, long-stemmed verbena, etc. It is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Verbena in the family Verbenaceae, native to Brazil, Argentina and other places in South America. In the wild it crosses with some plants of the same family whose flowers are spicate, so intermediate-type plants with inflorescences between cymes and spikes often appear. Let's take a look at the planting techniques for Verbena bonariensis below!

Growing environment for Verbena bonariensis

Verbena bonariensis prefers a warm climate, with an optimum growth temperature of 20-30°C. It is not cold-tolerant and grows rather slowly below 10°C. It grows best in full sun; if cultivated in an environment with insufficient sunlight, it will grow poorly. It can bloom all year round, has a long flowering period and high ornamental value, with blooming in spring, summer and autumn being better, while in winter it is poorer or does not bloom. It is not demanding about soil, as long as drainage is good; it has strong drought tolerance and moderate water requirements.

Propagation methods for Verbena bonariensis

Verbena bonariensis can be propagated by sowing, cuttings and root division. Sowing in spring gives the longest flowering and ornamental period. There are about 4000 seeds per gram, with a germination rate of about 85%. The optimum germination temperature is 20°C-25°C, and germination occurs 10-15 days after sowing. The whole plug seedling cycle is 40-45 days. Sowing in January is preferable. From sowing to flowering takes 3 to 4 months (when sowing and raising seedlings under low-temperature conditions from January to March, it takes 4 to 5 months from sowing to flowering). For seedling raising, 200-cell plug trays are usually used to make transplanting and field planting easier. As the medium, imported Danish Pindstrup peat soil can be used to ensure strong, uniform and fast seedlings. Only after 45 days from sowing, when the true leaves reach 2-3 pairs and the root system forms a ball, can they be transplanted. Plug seedlings are not recommended to be planted directly in the ground, because when planted directly in the ground, initial growth is slow and the mortality rate is relatively high. Generally, they are first moved to 9-12 cm nutrient pots and grown for 2 months before field planting, which gives the best results.

Planting techniques for Verbena bonariensis

When field planting, use large and small ridges for the plant and row spacing: the large ridge spacing is 60 cm, the small ridge spacing is 40 cm, and 6 plants are planted per sq m. Before field planting, ensure good soil conditions; generally, preparations such as watering, weeding, fertilizing, plowing and harrowing level need to be done first. After field planting, water thoroughly to ensure that the soil layer 20 cm below the soil surface remains moist. No pruning is needed, as it has strong natural branching ability. One and a half to two and a half months after field planting, it begins to enter the flowering period, and the full flowering period can last two and a half to three months. Verbena bonariensis is very drought-tolerant. During maintenance, alternate between dry and wet conditions; it must not be too wet. In areas where the minimum temperature is above 0°C, it can overwinter safely. North of the Yangtze River, it is generally cultivated as an annual.

Planting value of Verbena bonariensis

1. Because Verbena bonariensis is tall, growing it as a potted plant involves many management problems, such as tall stems being easily broken by wind or human collision, and being difficult to transport after flowering. In the past, not many farmers were willing to grow it for sale as a commodity. It is only because sightseeing-type farms have become popular that this vigorously growing Verbena bonariensis, which looks more beautiful the more there is of it, has been able to stand out.

2. Verbena bonariensis is widely used in landscape arrangements. Because its mass planting effect is extremely spectacular, it is often used for landscape arrangements under open woods, in botanical gardens and villa areas. In the flowering season it is like a pink-purple cloud, which is stunning. In courtyard greening, Verbena bonariensis can be planted in bands along roads, separating courtyard spaces while also enriching the roadside scenery. In the lower layer of Verbena bonariensis, plants such as showy evening primrose, purpleflower violet and variegated Hylotelephium erythrostictum can be arranged, and the effect will be even better.