Container Gardening Plants: Trailing Verbena

Verbena Hybrids

Verbena Hybrids are one of my favorite plants to use in containers. These hybrids are sometimes referred to as trailing but the growth habit is more spreading than trailing. The plant grows out, up and sometimes down all at the same time. These hybrids are a great choice to use as a filler plant especially in larger containers.

The Aztec series, Superbena and Babylon series are a few of the hybrids of this plant. Colors come in white and several shades of red, blue, purple, lavender and pink. Flowers grow in clusters and can be small and dainty or large and bold. Some flowers have a white eye in the middle which is particularly striking in the darker purple and red shades. Others are solid colored flowers which gives the plant a different look.

The foliage on most verbena hybrids is similar to the upright variety with dark green compact serrated leaves. I’ve always found the foliage of this plant to add great texture and interest to any container. The Babylon hybrids, however, have wonderfully lacey and delicate foliage. The flowers tend to be smaller but still grow in large clusters and are quite striking.

The best thing about these plants is that if you don’t deadhead them, they will continue to flower throughout the summer. If you do deadhead them you will be handsomely rewarded with a plant covered in lush blooms.

Verbena hybrids prefer full sun and moderate water. They are incredibly versatile and combine well with grasses, osteospermum, malvia, coleus, petunias, guara, bacopa and sweet potato vine. With all the color choices and foliage interest, this plant is indispensable to container gardeners.