Verbena bonariensis , what is it ?

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by HarryS, Jul 15, 2017.

  1. HarryS

    HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2010
    Messages:
    8,906
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Wigan
    Ratings:
    +16,246
    Hello @CarolineL , thanks for the advice - but too recognise seedlings is not a skill I have mastered. Seedlings all look the sodding same to me :snorky:
     
  2. HarryS

    HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2010
    Messages:
    8,906
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Wigan
    Ratings:
    +16,246
    "Choose non-flowering sideshoots from either side of the main stem."
    Just about to take some verbena bonariensis cuttings . The advice above is from the Gardeners World site. Problem is all my side shoots seem to have flower heads on them , is this a problem for cuttings ?
     
  3. KFF

    KFF Total Gardener

    Joined:
    May 30, 2017
    Messages:
    3,741
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Worcestershire
    Ratings:
    +5,890
    Hi Harry, you should be ok . Just pinch out the main stem below where the flower buds are forming. ( it Will save you doing it later anyway. )
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • Agree Agree x 1
    • Verdun

      Verdun Passionate gardener

      Joined:
      Oct 16, 2012
      Messages:
      7,475
      Gender:
      Male
      Location:
      West Cornwall
      Ratings:
      +17,486
      Hiya Harry, as already said look for seedlings. You can save yourself time and effort if you can learn to recognise them and simply pot them up. They are distinctly different from most weeds and similar to the parent. The beauty of self sown seedlings is that you may get slight variations in colour.......some more blue than usual or even white.
      Cuttings are easy.....side shoots from low down are best; take with a heel and trim up to leave 3" or so. Half perlite, water and cover with polythene bag or unheated propagator.
      Agree with KFF, simply remove flower buds ....you would take off the soft tips anyway.
      In practice once you have had bonariensis in flower for the summer seedlings will plentifully appear at different times of the year :)
       
      • Like Like x 1
      • Agree Agree x 1
      • Redwing

        Redwing Wild Gardener

        Joined:
        Mar 22, 2009
        Messages:
        1,589
        Gender:
        Female
        Location:
        Sussex
        Ratings:
        +2,830
        The seedlings are easy to recognise; once they are 3-4" tall the leaves look just like the parent plant.
         
        • Like Like x 1
        • Agree Agree x 1
        • HarryS

          HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

          Joined:
          Aug 28, 2010
          Messages:
          8,906
          Gender:
          Male
          Occupation:
          Retired
          Location:
          Wigan
          Ratings:
          +16,246
          Thanks @KFF , @Verdun . I took some cuttings this afternoon in a perlite and mpc mix . Later this summer I'll try and spot some seedlings from it .
           
          • Like Like x 1
          • Friendly Friendly x 1
          • shiney

            shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

            Joined:
            Jul 3, 2006
            Messages:
            60,998
            Gender:
            Male
            Occupation:
            Retired - Last Century!!!
            Location:
            Herts/Essex border. Zone 8b
            Ratings:
            +117,297
            And the stems have the same slightly rough feel to them. :blue thumb:

            If you ever come down this way I could dig you up a batch of them. :)
             
            • Like Like x 1
            • Friendly Friendly x 1
            • HarryS

              HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

              Joined:
              Aug 28, 2010
              Messages:
              8,906
              Gender:
              Male
              Occupation:
              Retired
              Location:
              Wigan
              Ratings:
              +16,246
              @KFF , @Verdun et al , well my Verbena cuttings have come on leaps and bounds . They are well rooted and twice the height. Should I now pot them on into their own 4" pots and winter them outside ? Or can I plant these hardy plants out into my flower bed ?
              Going to look for seedlings around the parent plant tomorrow as well :blue thumb:
               
              • Like Like x 3
              • Verdun

                Verdun Passionate gardener

                Joined:
                Oct 16, 2012
                Messages:
                7,475
                Gender:
                Male
                Location:
                West Cornwall
                Ratings:
                +17,486
                Excellent Harry. Yes pot them on now, pinch back and over winter outside....fleece to hand during cold spells or in the gh. Dont plant out though. Pot up any seedlings you find :)
                 
                • Like Like x 1
                • Agree Agree x 1
                • "M"

                  "M" Total Gardener

                  Joined:
                  Aug 11, 2012
                  Messages:
                  18,607
                  Location:
                  The Garden of England
                  Ratings:
                  +31,885
                  May I ask why? :scratch:
                   
                  • Like Like x 1
                  • Agree Agree x 1
                  • "M"

                    "M" Total Gardener

                    Joined:
                    Aug 11, 2012
                    Messages:
                    18,607
                    Location:
                    The Garden of England
                    Ratings:
                    +31,885
                    Yes @HarryS you can plant them out now into your flower bed, just give them a mulch for winter protection :thumbsup:
                     
                    • Agree Agree x 1
                    • Verdun

                      Verdun Passionate gardener

                      Joined:
                      Oct 16, 2012
                      Messages:
                      7,475
                      Gender:
                      Male
                      Location:
                      West Cornwall
                      Ratings:
                      +17,486
                      HarryS.....do half and half and let us know how you get on :)
                      For me seedlings of any kind are best protected and planted out in spring :)
                       
                      • Agree Agree x 2
                      • "M"

                        "M" Total Gardener

                        Joined:
                        Aug 11, 2012
                        Messages:
                        18,607
                        Location:
                        The Garden of England
                        Ratings:
                        +31,885
                        Crikey, I do hope not ... I've been direct sowing hardy annuals ready for next year! :heehee:
                         
                        • Like Like x 1
                        • KFF

                          KFF Total Gardener

                          Joined:
                          May 30, 2017
                          Messages:
                          3,741
                          Gender:
                          Male
                          Location:
                          Worcestershire
                          Ratings:
                          +5,890
                          You'll be fine "M" , if mother nature didn't intend things to last the Winter everything would be " tender " and Englands green and pleasant land would be covered wiith greenhouses :)
                           
                          • Funny Funny x 2
                          • "M"

                            "M" Total Gardener

                            Joined:
                            Aug 11, 2012
                            Messages:
                            18,607
                            Location:
                            The Garden of England
                            Ratings:
                            +31,885
                            Thank you, but, I'm not really worried :heehee: the annuals which thrived this year were direct sown last Autumn :thumbsup:
                             
                          Loading...

                          Share This Page

                          1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                            By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                            Dismiss Notice