Consulta Plantas

Care of the plant Verbena rigida or Slender vervain

The genus Verbena, family Verbenaceae, comprises 250 species of herbaceous or semi-shrubby plants native to all continents. Some species are: Verbena rigida, Verbena bonariensis, Verbena officinalis, Verbena brasiliensis, Verbena supina, Verbena hastata, Verbena x hybrida, Verbena corymbosa.

Common names: Slender vervain, Tuberous vervain. This species is native to southern Brazil and northern Argentina.

They are semi-perennial plants (they lose their leaves if winter is very cold) of creeping or hanging bearing that spread laterally by means of stolons; they reach 50 cm (19.68") in height. The leaves are deep green in color, have an opposite arrangement, a lanceolate shape and a serrated edge. The abundant flowers are purple, pink or blue in color and appear in groups that cover the entire plant. They bloom in summer and fall.

They are used in borders, to cover slopes and small walls, in rockeries and to cover sunny but sheltered areas of the garden; plant 5 specimens per square meter. They are suitable for growing in pots. They combine well in groups with Crocosmia, Pennisetum alopecuroides, Dahlia and Achillea.

Verbena rigida needs full sun exposure and warm temperatures. They resist frosts down to -10 ºC (14 ºF) but lose the leaves that sprout again in spring.

The soil must be very well drained and contain organic matter. The transplant is done in spring if the roots appear below the pot.

Water moderately waiting for the substrate to be almost dry; never flood. It's convenient not to wet the whole plant but only the soil.

Fertilize in early spring with compost.

Prune lightly after flowering to remove faded flowers.

They are sensitive plants to excess humidity.

They are propagated from seeds sown in spring in the nursery; cover the seeds with a light layer of substrate and place a dark paper on top to promote germination. The substrate must be damp but never waterlogged.

Images of the plant Verbena rigida or Slender vervain