Verbena rigida 'Santos'
verbena - Santos Purple
Highly sought after by bees and butterflies, this wonderfully shrubby and long-flowering verbena is ideal for wildlife-friendly gardens. ‘Santos’ is an improved and denser flowering form of the species (Verbena rigida), and is an invaluable addition to mixed or herbaceous borders, where its clusters of bright purple blooms will add lashings of bold colour over several months from early summer.
How to care for Verbena rigida Santos:
This low-maintenance plant thrives positioned in full sun and well-drained soil. Space them approximately 30-40cm (12-16in) apart to allow for their branching habit.
While drought-tolerant once established, regular watering during dry spells will promote continued flowering. Deadheading isn't necessary, but it can encourage a second flush of blooms. In cold conditions, verbena can suffer dieback if cut back in autumn, so it's best to leave the plant until spring.
We advise cutting back the old growth to approximately 15cm (6in) when you see new shoots emerging at the base. In winter, mulch around the base of the plant with a deep, dry mulch to help protect the roots against extreme cold.
Support plants in either exposed or partially shaded positions. If this is necessary use natural materials such as brushwood or twiggy pea-sticks.
While drought-tolerant once established, regular watering during dry spells will promote continued flowering. Deadheading isn't necessary, but it can encourage a second flush of blooms. In cold conditions, verbena can suffer dieback if cut back in autumn, so it's best to leave the plant until spring.
We advise cutting back the old growth to approximately 15cm (6in) when you see new shoots emerging at the base. In winter, mulch around the base of the plant with a deep, dry mulch to help protect the roots against extreme cold.
Support plants in either exposed or partially shaded positions. If this is necessary use natural materials such as brushwood or twiggy pea-sticks.
Sowing instructions:
Early sowings can be started off from February,in seed trays kept under glass before hardening off and planting out. Alternatively, after the worst frosts have passed, sow directly into a sunny, well-prepared seedbed, thinning the seedlings out to 45-60cm (18-24in) as they grow.
Pinching out the growing tips will encourage bushier plants to develop.
Pinching out the growing tips will encourage bushier plants to develop.
Flowering period:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Eventual height:
0.6m
Eventual spread:
0.45m
Position:
Full sun
Rate of growth:
Average
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness:
Borderline hardy (will need protection in winter in colder areas)
-
This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
