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Family description Verbena.

Verbena is mostly grown as a summer bedding plant, but there are many fine perennial varieties for the flower border. Unfortunately, they are not completely hardy, and it is advised to take cuttings to over winter in a frost-free environment. All produce masses of small flowers in small clumps, and come in a wide variety of rich colours. Some varieties are prostrate, spreading up to a metre along the ground during the summer, but at the other extreme, there is V. bonariensis which can reach more than 1.5 metres high.

General care.

Summer care is simply a matter of removing the dead flower heads on a regular basis. This is a well behaved plant and rarely gets out of control. In late summer, take cuttings if you have the space to over winter them, in case severe weather kills the main plants during the winter. Once flowering is over, cut tall types down to the basal leaves. Spreading types can be reduced in diameter to keep the plant within its designated display area.

Notes on Toxicity or Culinary usage.

No toxic, culinary or medicinal properties known.

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Species description. Verbena bonariensis.

Verbena bonariensis has become fashionable of late, and produces its blue flowers at the tops of thin wiry stems. Often recommended for planting near the front of the border due to its 'see through' nature of the foliage, but it is best planted in bolder groups in a position more fitting to its height nearer the back of the border.

Display characteristics for Verbena bonariensis.

• Plant type: Dicotyledon. Evergreen
• Habit: Erect
• Type: Perennial.
• Height: 1.50 mtr.
• Spread: 0.40 mtr.
• Attractive to wildlife: None
• Preferred soil type: Clay. Loam. Sand. Silt.
• Soil moisture requirement: Medium
• Soil ph: Undefined
• Suitable position: Border. Container.
• Light requirements: Full sun. Part sun.
• Summer water requirements: Medium
• Winter water requirements: Low
• Minimum temperature: -10 °c
• Safe Minimum temperature: -5 °c
• Safe Maximum temperature: 30 °c
• Maximum temperature: 0 °c
• Wind tolerance: Low
• Salt tolerance: None
• Drought tolerance: Medium
• Waterlogging tolerance: Medium
• Toxicity-Edibility: Unknown
• Bloom attributes: Flower arrangement. Dried flower. Showy display.
• Foliage attributes: Undefined
• Berry attributes: Undefined
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