Annual Verbena (Verbena hybrids) plants have a trailing habit that makes them perfect for window boxes, pots and baskets. The plants spread and trail over the edges creating a colorful display. They produce clusters of colorful blooms that are attractive to butterflies and pollinators, but they are resistant to deer.

Start Verbena seeds indoors 8 - 10 weeks prior to the end of frost season. It is suggested to give the seeds a cold treatment in the refrigerator prior to planting.

Verbena does well in full sun and in moderately rich, evenly moist soil that drains well. The plants are well suited to containers of all kinds as well as the front of the border where they can spread as a ground cover.

• After a cold period of 7 - 10 days in the refrigerator, sow the seeds into trays filled with moistened seed starting soil
• Cover the Verbena seeds lightly with soil
• Verbena needs darkness for germination, so place a piece of cardboard or black plastic over the tray and place them in a dark area
• Lift the plastic or cardboard daily to mist down the seeds and check for seedlings to emerge
• Remove the plastic or cardboard once seedlings are up
• After a month of seedling growth, pinch the growing tips back to promote branching
• Once temperatures are warming outside, harden off the Verbena seedlings for 7 - 10 days prior to transplanting out
• Transplant outdoors spacing the plants about 12 inches apart and amend soil with compost at the time of transplanting

• Once established, Verbena plants need about 1 inch of water each week, and they can withstand periods of drought
• Apply a water soluable fertilizer that is for blooming plants every month
• Lightly prune the plants back a couple of times to promote more blooms
• In the heat of summer, Verbena plants may slow down, so trim the plants back by 1/3 to promote new growth and more blooms in the fall