I have had many flower growers tell me, “Frank, I would like to grow some different kinds of flowers around my home. I am tired of the common things like zinnias, marigolds and four o’clocks that everybody has. I want something different, even though it’s hard to grow, so I can strut my stuff and let all the folks know I can grow pretty, bright colored flowers. What do you recommend?
Now, the first thought that comes to me is, “Isn’t that just like a man?” All right, brother, you asked for it. The correct answer to your wants is, just start growing Verbenas, and you will have your hands and your mind fully occupied with all the growing problems you will need for a full season. When you succeed, you will have accomplished a lot, because Verbenas are colorful, beautiful flowers that are useful as well as ornamental.
There are several types. The perennial type is only half hardy in the northern states, but in the South they can be outdoors the year around.
That type can be started from seeds if sown in February or March in the house in a shallow box, or you can make cuttings in the fall and root them in your home or small greenhouse at 65 degree temperature. Seeds are quite small, ten to twenty thousand per ounce.
It takes three to four weeks for the seeds to germinate at 65 degrees at night with 75 in the daytime. The seed is only good for one year, so do not try to keep it over. Buy fresh seeds each year. The small plants can be potted and kept in the house until frost danger is past.
Verbenas can Thrive in Hot, Dry Places in Poor Soil
The best thing about verbenas is that they thrive in a hot, dry place and in poor soil. They must have sun all day. They are found in the desert, so you know they can take plenty of hot sun and dry weather.
Plant them in a bed all by themselves. Verbenas have a low, trailing growth almost like a vine and will soon cover the entire bed with a mass of bright colored flowers with deep green foliage. You can get them in all shades of red, rose, blue, bright lavender and pure white.
Use them along walks, in porch boxes, hanging baskets or window boxes, also for mounds or rock gardens. Verbenas can be used for cut flowers if cut in the evening, and placed in deep water in a refrigerator. If not handled that way, the flowers may fall off like hardy phlox does when cut.
Annual Verbenas
These are more easily grown. The dwarf types grow only six to 12 inches in height, but will spread to two feet across when fully grown. You can sow the seed in the house in March or April. lf you sow it outdoors, wait until May 15 to June 1.
Soak the seeds overnight in lukewarm water before planting to hasten the germination. It takes only about eight days that way. Each plant should be ten to 15 inches apart each way for best blooms. They will make a solid carpet by the time they have attained full growth and the entire bed will be as beautiful as a Persian rug, if you have used the right blend of colors.
As a last reminder, remember if you should think the perennial verbenas are too much bother for you to try, after reading my opening paragraph, just keep in mind that verbenas or any other hard to start plant can be bought at your local greenhouse. It is the greenhouse man’s business to produce such plants in large quantities at a reasonable, popular price. You will surely have flowers that your neighbor may not grow!
Contributed by Frank Payne
