Need help with Verbena bonariensis.
I've not ever seen a Verbena bonariensis plant growing but I'm thinking I'd like to grow it mixed in with milkweed next year. My thought is that the Verbena bonariensis reportedly blooms on tall thin stalks and is loved by the butterflies so it seems it would probably stick it's blooms up above the milkweed. I just don't know what the size of the base of the plant looks like. We experience hot, humid summers and I don't want to cut off air flow around the plants.
Anyone ever grown it with Milkweed plants?
Mary
Verbena bonariensis - who grows it for the butterflies
I grow Verbena bonariensis & also thought it would look great with the Asclepias tuberosa. In my experience, the Verbena is VERY prolific here, but doesn't seem to crowd anything out. I have experimented with trimming them to keep the height down & have had good success with it. They bloom like crazy for a long time & attract LOTS of bees, butterflies, & others.
ants
Hi Ants,
Is the base of the Verbena plant very large? All the photo's I've found show the blooms on top of tall thin stalks. I don't think I've ever seen a photo of the base of the plant.
Thank you for sharing your experience. I'm wanting to grow this Verbena and Pentas - Butterfly series next summer to encourage the butterflies. I've already planted some host plants and have other host plants started in the greenhouse.
I bought some Pentas that were on closeout at my local nursery, to see if I could overwinter them in the greenhouse. They are also a new plant to me. So far they're doing well but I've read they don't care for temps below 50 degrees. I plan to keep the greenhouse around 40-42 on the coldest nights so we'll see. I also took some cuttings from these plants as it has been reported they are easy to propagate by cuttings. Of course, if the cuttings root, I'm still in the same boat regarding the night time temps in the GH. :-) But nothing ventured, nothing gained. At least I'll know.
Mary
Hello Mary,
The base of the plant is pretty much like the top. Good for the middle or back of your garden. Easy to hide the base with other plants. I took a few pictures of the base. I have already cut most of mine to keep them from seeding everywhere. They come back with more flowers in no time.
ants
Another picture of the base with some leaves.
ants
Hi ants,
Thank you so much for going to all of this trouble to take and post these photos. This is fantastic to be able to see the base of the plant. It looks quite open. I don't think it would block air flow if planted in among milkweed. Woo hoo, now I know it will work! I've got my seeds ordered and they're on the way, can hardly wait for next spring to see how the little airborne creatures take to all the new plants. :-)
Thanks again for being so kind to help me.
Mary
Hello Mary,
It was no trouble. I enjoyed it :)
ants