Verbena officinalis

Germination

Sow indoors in spring or sow under glass in autumn. Under glass, surface sow seeds onto moist, well-drained seed compost. Just cover seeds with a sprinkling of soil. Place in a cold frame or greenhouse. Keep moist. Natural winter cold will offer ideal conditions for the seeds to germinate in spring as the weather warms. Indoors, mix seed with some damp vermiculite or compost and cold stratify, temp. 4°C, a fridge is ideal, for 6 weeks then remove to warmth for germination. Simply sprinkle the mix containing seeds onto seed compost, keep moist until germination occurs. Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle. Acclimatise and plant out once danger of frost has passed.

Growing

Grow in a mass for best effect. Pinch back when first planted to encourage branching. Water deeply to encourage root growth.

Cultivation

If sown early it will flower in the same year. Cut and come again variety. Cut flowers regularly to encourage growth and to prolong flowering window. Deadhead if you do not want it to self-seed. Cut back in spring once new shoots emerge at the base.