I acquired an Almond verbena plant this past weekend. I planted it in a place that gets morning sun only (hope that's a good spot). However, now I realize I don't know a thing about the proper care of this plant. I hear it can get large but I want to keep it to about 4'x4'. Any particular advice on when to prune or any special fertilizing instructions.
Thanks in advance.
TxDb
Almond verbena care
Ahh, good for you! I love almond verbena, the scent is amazing. Mine is in half day late afternoon sun, but still gets much taller then 4ft...I would say about 6-7ft tall by the end of summer. I'm not sure if it would bloom the same if cut back, perhaps someone else will know. I don't prune at all, in winter it dies to the ground. I don't do anything special for it and it just keeps chugging along. I have sandy soil, I do think it would do best with some drainage.
The only other suggestion I can think of, is to plant near an area or by a window, where you can enjoy the fragrance on a warm evening :0)
And I love it but have managed to kill off two so am watching this thread in hopes of learning the error of my ways. LOL
Hello, doodle_bug...I have been raising Almond Verbena for many years and can never seem to have enough! It can easily be trimmed to maintain the size you want. However, I would suggest you live with the plant for a while before you trim it too severely. It pains me to trim even for cuttings! LOL
I have 5 planted in the landscape and they all behave differently and grow to very different heights. Full sun, dry, bad soil seems to gain the tallest height with spans of 8 to 9' in the summer...They all are highly scented butterfly magnets for me, as well as excellent support for the bee population. They are all become evergreen for me after they were established or at about the end of the 3rd season.
So glad other people are planting this wonderful treasure...enjoy!
Ladies, this is not to say that the plant you want is not beautiful, it is, but if you want a plant from the same family that is easy to grow and also native to Texas here it is Beebrush; http://wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ALGR2
This plant smells great, attracts bees and butterflies and blooms all season, I have a few and I love them.
Josephine.
Oooo, Thanks for all of the advice. If the plant does die to the ground, I may let it go hog-wild for a year or two and see how tall it gets. And I did plant it near a window! Just can't wait to see how it grows.
Frostweed, we can always count on you to give us more information. Now, I wonder if I'll have to find a new spot for a Beebrush!
Frostweed, saw info that beebrush likes moist soil; do you find that to be the case?
Doodlebug, where in central TX are you located -- I live in Brady and many years ago there was a train around here we called the doodlebug!
I have mine with all my other plants and it doesn't need more water than the rest of them, I usually water once a week during the summer if there has been no rain, or when the top of the soil id dry.
TX- gardner - I'm about an hour North of Austin. Doodlebug is a family nickname. :-)
Frostweed - Thanks for the watering information. The area of my yard where I planted doesn't get much water unless I put the hose on it myself so that info will help me greatly.
Doodle-I'm about an hour North of Austin too? Where are you compared to Liberty Hill? Hwy 29 and 183.
1lisac - I'm closer to I-35 and more due north than you. Liberty Hill sure is pretty country.
Your up 35. I'm off 183 and 29. Yes, it is pretty but it's out in the boonies lol
I didn't realize Almond Verbena got so big.