Verbena Bonariensis

Many of my in situ perennials are now two and even three foot high, but there are a few laggards. Verbena Bonariensis is only 4 inches. Is it normally that late. My abiding memory is of its height at the end of the season. I have read that they only live 2 or 3 years. As mine are now in their fourth year, I am wondering if old age is getting to them. Luckily they leave plenty of children.

 

pete, I am hanging on till someone else answers, but have to say mine are far behind yours???

Hope someone else comes up with a reason for you - and me!

 

Hi Pete and Waco.
Mine is also very short.
We brought ours last year and they soon grew to a great height, with loads of flowers and seed.

This year there didn't seem anything happening, so thought they had died.But 2 weeks ago when the weather started changing, they suddenly sprang into live, and although not very tall, they are still hanging in there.

I think this rotten weather we all have been having this year has put everything behind, but I am sure it will all catch up eventually...I hope.

Kandy

 

Mine are all in 5" pots and have been pinched out to make them bush, which I hope is OK because I haven't grown them before. Pinched out they're about 5-6" . Most are going to the village fete, but the best will be planted in my new and very bare border. I've lost the packet, must look up how big they grow!

 

I think that most of mine have died off (3 years old) will hopefully save one or two but not banking on it.
Can anyone suggest a replacement to fit in a deep perennial border?

 

Chobart, there are so many - it depends what sort of plant you want. If you want a tall replacement for Verbena, I would get another. I think they are wonderful. I am also growing Cleome and a tall Cosmos through my Verbena. They are both annuals, but are lovely plants in their own right. They are same height as Verbena and colours that go well with it. Other tall ones are Eupatorium (likes it on the damp side, Salvia Uliginosa (see through like Verbena but pale blue, and a bit more floppy I think. I am growing it for the first time - not that hardy), and Filipendula rosea 'Venusta'.

 

Chobart, thinking a bit more about it. If you had Verbena last year, you should have hundreds of seedlings even if the parents have died. Seedlings will take a bit longer to get established so you may not be aware of any yet, but they will grow to full height in the first year and flower well.

 

Liz,I got a free packet of Verbena Bonariensis with last weeks Amateur Gardening.I have just looked at my packet, and the eventual height is 120-150cm or in English 48-60in

Kandy

 

Most of ours are still small, all self seeded ones, except for one which has leapt up to the grand height of 12 inches!

 

Hi Kandyfloss, thanks for that. My seeds were free with AG last year.
Looks like I won't have to grow any more seeds!