There is hardly a plant species that has received a lot of attention due to the wide variety of names. Verbenas, also known as iron herbs, also listen to inventive names such as cat blood herb, pigeon, legend or wish herb. The very different types of use can be derived from all these terms.
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origin
The summer flowers, which are beautiful to look at, not only inspire with their sight, but are also preferred as medicinal plants or as stimulants. Their regions of origin are the sunny areas such as Argentina, South America, Patagonia and South Brazil. But now the verbena feels quite comfortable in Europe and has established itself in the gardens at home. There are more than 3000 species of verbena worldwide that fascinate botanists and hobby gardeners alike. The splendor of colors of the iron herb sensitizes the senses. The color shades range from pink and pink to blue and purple. However, the simple white flowers can also delight the eye of the beholder. If you want to enjoy wonderful splashes of color in your garden for a longer period of time, you are guaranteed to be right with verbena. In its function as a so-called permanent bloomer, the flowering time of the iron herb extends from July to well into October.
External features at a glance
Verbena is a summer plant that is not winter-proof and loves the sun more than anything. It stretches towards the warmth and can reach heights of up to 75 cm. However, some species also impress with a size of 1.50 m. The upright and very branched stem is slightly hairy and has a square exterior. The associated leaves are distributed up the stem and the leaf blade becomes narrower towards the petiole. The elongated leaf blade has a paper-like texture and a length of up to 8 cm and a width of up to 5 cm. The coarse hairs of the leaf blade on the underside and on the leaf veins are clearly visible. The external appearance of the leaf blade ranges from roughly toothed to lobed or pinnate. The hermaphroditic flowers consist of two mirror-like halves, are five-fold and have a double flower envelope. Furthermore, sepals and petals are fused and four fertile stamens and a bald ovary complete the flower. The fruit is a small capsule in which the seeds are located.
Description and claims
Verbenas are not only extremely popular as a garden plant, as there are also some creeping and climbing varieties, they are also ideal as hanging plants for the balcony. Especially in the very long flowering period, the plants give off a bewitching, spicy scent that makes you dream of a vacation in foreign countries. Verbena is a very resistant and perennial plant which, if a few essential care rituals are taken into account, will bring joy to its owners for a long time.
- The plant prefers a sunny place.
- Suitable for beds, pots or buckets.
- Not hardy.
- Keep moist, but prevent waterlogging.
- Requires nutrient-rich soil.
- Fertilize every 2 weeks.
Perfect care is the be-all and end-all
Verbena is considered to be a very uncomplicated plant, but the sun alone is not enough to experience the splendor of the flowers. The soil should be well prepared with garden compost or manure before sowing. If you want to decorate your balcony boxes with verbena, you can also use normal garden soil. Verbena loves nutrient-rich, calcareous to neutral soils. The earth must be kept moist, but waterlogging would not survive the plants. This is especially true for balcony plants. Please note that no water may remain in the pot or saucer. If you want to be on the safe side when casting, you should use the thumb test. Watering is only necessary if the top layer of soil appears too dry. Hanging verbena tolerates excess moisture much better and, due to its nature, can also withstand a rain shower on the balcony. When planted in a balcony box, the verbena need some liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks. This is not absolutely necessary in the field. In order to prevent dry periods in bed systems, the soil should be mulched. Even if the colorful flowers are a feast for the eyes on their own, they come into their own when combined with trumpet tongues, petunias or poppies. In order to prevent dry periods in bed systems, the soil should be mulched. Even if the colorful flowers are a feast for the eyes on their own, they come into their own when combined with trumpet tongues, petunias or poppies. In order to prevent dry periods in bed systems, the soil should be mulched. Even if the colorful flowers are a feast for the eyes on their own, they come into their own when combined with trumpet tongues, petunias or poppies.
Propagation and planting – everything has its time
An increase in the verbs is relatively easy and therefore usually crowned with success. The seeds required for this are located inside the fruit capsule. When the capsules are ripe, they burst and the innumerable seeds inside spread over the bedding. If the plantings of different varieties are desired, then the seeds can be selected from the wide range that the trade has to offer. Sowing takes place in early spring, between March and April. The seeds are either placed in suitable containers or in a mini greenhouse to germinate. A room temperature of around 20 degrees Celsius is ideal for this process. A particularly rapid germination result is revealed when the seeds spend a few hours in the refrigerator before germination. Patience must be applied for 14 days to around 3 weeks, then the first seedlings can be seen. These are pricked out and pitted at a height of 8 cm. This ensures the popular bushy growth. When there is no longer any fear of frost, the small seedlings can be put outside. The time of germination can also be bypassed and the seeds can be sown directly in the field. As a result, however, the plants bloom quite late, so that the time when the flowers are in bloom is minimized. Ideally, the verbena should be planted at a distance of 25 to 30 centimeters, or up to 50 centimeters for taller plants. Verbena is ideal for planting in larger groups. Dried flowers or plants should always be removed from the soil and composted. then the first seedlings can be seen. These are pricked out and pitted at a height of 8 cm. This ensures the popular bushy growth. When there is no longer any fear of frost, the small seedlings can be put outside. The time of germination can also be bypassed and the seeds can be sown directly in the field. As a result, however, the plants bloom quite late, so that the time when the flowers are in bloom is minimized. Ideally, the verbena should be planted at a distance of 25 to 30 centimeters, or up to 50 centimeters for taller plants. Verbena is ideal for planting in larger groups. Dried flowers or plants should always be removed from the soil and composted. then the first seedlings can be seen. These are pricked out and pitted at a height of 8 cm. This ensures the popular bushy growth. When there is no longer any fear of frost, the small seedlings can be put outside. The time of germination can also be bypassed and the seeds can be sown directly in the field. As a result, however, the plants bloom quite late, so that the time when the flowers are in bloom is minimized. Ideally, the verbena should be planted at a distance of 25 to 30 centimeters, or up to 50 centimeters for taller plants. Verbena is ideal for planting in larger groups. Dried flowers or plants should always be removed from the soil and composted. These are pricked out and pitted at a height of 8 cm. This ensures the popular bushy growth. When there is no longer any fear of frost, the small seedlings can be put outside. The time of germination can also be bypassed and the seeds can be sown directly in the field. As a result, however, the plants bloom quite late, so that the time when the flowers are in bloom is minimized. Ideally, the verbena should be planted at a distance of 25 to 30 centimeters, or up to 50 centimeters for taller plants. Verbena is ideal for planting in larger groups. Dried flowers or plants should always be removed from the soil and composted. These are pricked out and pitted at a height of 8 cm. This ensures the popular bushy growth. When there is no longer any fear of frost, the small seedlings can be put outside. The time of germination can also be bypassed and the seeds can be sown directly in the field. As a result, however, the plants bloom quite late, so that the time when the flowers are in bloom is minimized. Ideally, the verbena should be planted at a distance of 25 to 30 centimeters, or up to 50 centimeters for taller plants. Verbena is ideal for planting in larger groups. Dried flowers or plants should always be removed from the soil and composted. When there is no longer any fear of frost, the small seedlings can be put outside. The time of germination can also be bypassed and the seeds can be sown directly in the field. As a result, however, the plants bloom quite late, so that the time when the flowers are in bloom is minimized. Ideally, the verbena should be planted at a distance of 25 to 30 centimeters, or up to 50 centimeters for taller plants. Verbena is ideal for planting in larger groups. Dried flowers or plants should always be removed from the soil and composted. When there is no longer any fear of frost, the small seedlings can be put outside. The time of germination can also be bypassed and the seeds can be sown directly in the field. As a result, however, the plants bloom quite late, so that the time when the flowers are in bloom is minimized. Ideally, the verbena should be planted at a distance of 25 to 30 centimeters, or up to 50 centimeters for taller plants. Verbena is ideal for planting in larger groups. Dried flowers or plants should always be removed from the soil and composted. so that the time it takes to bloom is minimized. Ideally, the verbena should be planted at a distance of 25 to 30 centimeters, or up to 50 centimeters for taller plants. Verbena is ideal for planting in larger groups. Dried flowers or plants should always be removed from the soil and composted. so that the time it takes to bloom is minimized. Ideally, the verbena should be planted at a distance of 25 to 30 centimeters, or up to 50 centimeters for taller plants. Verbena is ideal for planting in larger groups. Dried flowers or plants should always be removed from the soil and composted.
Winter tips for verbena
Verbena is known as an annual plant and absolutely does not tolerate frost. Many gardeners do not overwinter the plant and prefer to re-sow it every year. But with the right protective coat of care and attention, some species can also survive the winter in our latitudes. It is important that the verbena is cut back after flowering in autumn or spring, as the above-ground parts of the plant die off. Container or potted plants in particular can overwinter in a cool, light and well ventilated room. In order to avoid rotting of the root areas and infestation by pests, the water supply should be greatly minimized during the winter rest period. Perennials remaining in the bed can be protected from frost with a thick layer of leaves or brushwood, however, even minor exposure to cold can mean the end of the plant. After the end of the ice saints, the verbena can sniff fresh air again and resume their stay in the open air.
Types of use and symbolism
If you have verbena in your garden, you can make use of its healing ingredients. The tradition of the plant as a remedy goes back to antiquity. While the antirheumatic and diuretic effects of iron herb were valued in the past, nowadays it is mainly used in cold remedies, in cosmetic products or as a sleep-promoting mixture. In the south of France the digestive effects of the plant have been used and a delicious schnapps is made from it, which is supposed to get the stomach going again after a large meal.
Pharmacological studies have shown that verbena, as one might assume from its name, does not actually contain any iron substances. The name of the plant goes back to a superstition that says whoever uses verbena, iron weapons cannot harm them in war and they are considered invulnerable. Certain conjuring ceremonies were also carried out in the Middle Ages in which the herb was a component.
Susceptibility to disease and pests
Verbenas are considered to be extremely robust and resilient as long as they are given enough care and attention. Sometimes powdery mildew is very fond of the plant and has preferred it on its menu. For prevention, a brew made from wormwood or horseradish broth can be used, which is used every fourteen days. If that does not help, in the worst case, chemicals have to be used and the powdery mildew has to be declared a warrior by spraying triforin or sulfur. If the situation does not improve in the long term, it makes sense to think about a drier location. However, powdery mildew is not the only threat to verbena.
Snails and aphids are also among the pests that make life difficult for verbenas. If the first traces of slime indicate a snail infestation, then laying out snail pellets or regularly collecting the annoying reptiles will help. In the case of aphids, somewhat heavy guns have to be deployed. A first step can be to spray the leaves with a powerful jet of water, whereby already diseased flowers or shoots have to be removed beforehand. In order to prevent the annoying animals from falling onto the ground, the ground should be sealed with a foil. Another way of killing aphids is to use environmentally friendly oil-based agents.
Conclusion
Verbenas, the beautiful, ornate iron herbs, are an eye-catcher in every garden. In combination with grasses, other small trees or flowering perennials, they give the beds a certain summer feeling, which is intensified by the intoxicating scent of the open flowers. From July until well into October, the beauty of the plants beguiles the eye of the beholder. Verbenas can be planted separately, but also create a distinctive overall appearance in small groups in the bed or in pots. Due to their upright, clump-like growth, they literally stretch themselves towards the sun. As a result, their location should also be sunny and well protected from the wind. The plants are considered to be deep-rooted and love well-drained, humus-rich soil and sufficient ball moisture. Low-growing species are ideal for planting bowls, flower boxes or hanging baskets. Iron herbs also look good in a vase or as a flower arrangement. Since the verbenas are only partially winter-proof, they should be well protected by brushwood during the frosty season or kept in cool rooms inside the house.
