26 named cultivars

annual

Garden Verbena

The Story

Plant Bio

Verbena x hybrida is the garden verbena, a group of hybrids grown as a summer annual for its dense flat clusters of small five-petalled flowers. Rough, deeply toothed grey-green to dark green leaves cover mounding or trailing stems six to eighteen inches high, and flowering runs from spring through to frost wherever summers stay warm.

Powdery mildew is the one thing that ruins it, and it is nearly always a siting problem rather than bad luck: verbena wants full sun, moving air and water delivered at the roots. Series bred for mildew resistance are worth paying for, but in a crowded, shaded or overhead-watered bed even those grey over by late summer.

Uses & Benefits:

Flat clusters of bright flowers over a very long season, on neat mounding or trailing growth.

Heat and drought tolerant once established, and reliable in containers where soil is poor.

Butterflies and hummingbirds work the flower clusters steadily through summer.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Annual

Height

12 inches

Width

18 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

7, 8, 9, 10

Water

Low to moderate

Humidity

Low

Lifespan

Annual

Native To

Garden hybrid of South American species

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in full sun after the last frost.
Space plants generously so air moves between them.
Water at soil level, never over the foliage.
Feed lightly every few weeks in containers.
Shear back by a third if flowering slows.
Remove and bin any badly mildewed growth.

Pro Tip

Mildew arrives when plants sit crowded and damp overnight, so water in the morning and leave real space between plants.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Give it full sun and open air ☀️
Water in the morning at soil level 💧
Choose mildew-resistant series 🏷️
Shear lightly to restart flowering ✂️

Don't

Water overhead or in the evening ❌
Crowd plants together in a bed ❌
Grow it in part shade and expect flowers ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Plant Out
Shear

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Hot, sunny container and basket plantingFront-of-border summer beddingTrailing over walls and raised beds

Companion Plants

Petunia Calibrachoa Lantana AngeloniaSweet Potato Vine

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Garden Verbena questions

What zones can Garden Verbena grow in?

Garden Verbena is hardy in USDA Zones 7–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Garden Verbena deer resistant?

Yes — Garden Verbena is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Garden Verbena bloom?

Garden Verbena typically blooms in spring to frost through late summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Garden Verbena need full sun?

Garden Verbena does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Garden Verbena drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Garden Verbena handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.