Vibrant, vigorous, and wonderfully versatile, verbenas are among my favorite flowers for adding va-va-voom to the summer garden. These low-maintenance beauties deliver nonstop color with minimal fuss, and look just as good weaving through garden beds as they do spilling from pots, window boxes, and hanging baskets. They also take heat and drought in stride, making them a top pick for sizzling summer climates.
Although today’s verbena hybrids are more resilient and robust than older varieties, a little TLC goes a long way to keeping your plants healthy and flourishing. In this guide, you’ll learn how to plant and care for verbena to ensure months of dazzling blooms, and get expert troubleshooting tips for solving common problems before they get out of hand.
On this page: Basics | Types | Planting | Care | Pictures | Troubleshooting | FAQs
Winter hardy in zones 8-11. Garden verbenas (Verbena ×hybrida) are grown as annuals in most climates.
“Sometimes you may have 10 days of amazing blooms, then a bit of a lag. Then, color comes back in full force!” — Growing Beautiful Verbena Flowers, Corey from Up North Garden.
Verbena is a popular flowering plant that adds vibrant pops of color to gardens and landscapes. With its trailing habits and colorful clusters of small star-shaped flowers, verbena creates visual interest wherever it is planted. But one question gardeners often have is: how cold hardy is verbena? Can you grow verbena in cold climates? In this complete guide, we’ll take an in-depth look at verbena’s cold tolerance and tips for growing success.
An Overview of Verbena’s Cold Hardiness
Verbena is typically classified as a warm weather annual plant. However, some varieties exhibit better cold tolerance than others. Here’s a quick overview of verbena’s ability to withstand cold temperatures:
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Most verbena varieties can tolerate temperatures down to the mid 30s Fahrenheit range. Some newer varieties can withstand temps to the mid 20s.
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Once temperatures drop below freezing, verbena suffers damage. Flowers and buds blacken, leaves turn mushy.
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While verbena withstands short frost/freeze periods, prolonged freezing temps kill the plant.
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Factors like location and weather impact exact cold hardiness. In-ground plants may survive colder temps than container plants
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Verbena performs best in zones 9-11 where freezes are rare. With protection, it can grow in zones 7-8 Cold-tolerant varieties recommended for cooler zones
Growing Verbena in Colder Climates
Don’t rule out growing verbena in cold winter areas. Here are tips to help verbena successfully overwinter:
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Select cold-hardy verbena varieties like Quartz XP and Imagination Withstand temps to the 20s
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Wait until after last frost date to plant outdoors. Planting too early risks frost damage.
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Give verbena a head start with transplants vs seed. Transplants mature faster.
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Choose sheltered garden spots with southern sun exposure. Protects from cold winds.
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Cover verbena when frost/freeze threatens using fabric row covers. Remove during day.
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Ensure excellent drainage in beds/containers. Wet soil drops temperature faster than dry.
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Mulch around verbena to insulate roots and crown. 2-3” of bark, leaves, straw helps regulate soil temperature.
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Avoid high nitrogen fertilizer in fall which spurs tender new growth vulnerable to frost damage.
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Prune leggy growth in late summer to compact plants before winter.
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Bring containers indoors on cold nights, then return outside in mornings.
What to Expect in Winter
If verbena survives light fall frosts, expect increasing dieback as winter progresses. Flowering likely stops even if protected from freezing. Here’s what to expect:
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Annual verbena eventually dies from hard freezes/frosts. Lacks perennial verbena’s overwintering ability.
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Dieback occurs from root up. Lower foliage dies first, followed by progressive dieback.
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Verbena may enter dormancy in winter but stay alive underground. Protect crowns from freezing for potential spring regrowth.
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In very mild winters, verbena may flower sporadically but lacks full vigor and performance.
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Evergreen varieties like Quartz XP retain more winter foliage than trailing types. Minimal growth or blooms once temps drop.
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Don’t cut verbena fully back in fall. Leave 1-2” stem to protect crowns for possible spring regrowth.
Enjoy Vibrant Verbena Despite the Cold
With smart planting techniques and cold protection, you can enjoy verbena for an extended season even in cooler climates. Select cold hardy varieties, grow in sheltered spots, and be prepared to protect from frost threats. Although verbena is dormant through frigid winters, you can get several months of bright flowers during the warm season.
Sun and soil requirements:
Full sun (at least 8 hours a day) and average well-drained soil.
Varieties range in height from low-growing and trailing to somewhat upright.
Common garden varieties have tiny, fragrant flowers in saucer-shaped clusters up to 3 inches across. The most common flower colors include shades of pink, red, purple, coral, and blue-violet, as well as bicolored varieties.
Colorful and scented verbena flowers provide a rich source of nectar for pollinators, attracting hummingbirds, bees, and many types of butterflies.
“Its clusters of small, delicate flowers create a carpet of beauty that attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, bringing life and movement to your outdoor space.” — Top Flowering Annuals for Summer, Stacy Ling, Bricks n Blooms.
Verbena hybrids developed by Proven Winners® to be more robust, more mildew resistant, and more resilient than older varieties. They also produce larger flowers in many colors, including bicolored striped patterns.
A trailing verbena characterized by a multi-branching growth habit, spreading up to 3 feet to create a dense low-growing carpet of blooms. Also mildew resistant and grow well under a wide range of weather conditions.
A semi-trailing verbena characterized by bold patterns, bright colors, and contrasting eyes. It spreads up to 2 feet and has one of the longest bloom seasons. Compact versions with mounded habits are also available.
AnnualsDiscover the right annual plants for your garden.
Superbena® Violet Ice. Photo by: Proven Winners.
Vibrant, vigorous, and wonderfully versatile, verbenas are among my favorite flowers for adding va-va-voom to the summer garden. These low-maintenance beauties deliver nonstop color with minimal fuss, and look just as good weaving through garden beds as they do spilling from pots, window boxes, and hanging baskets. They also take heat and drought in stride, making them a top pick for sizzling summer climates.
Although today’s verbena hybrids are more resilient and robust than older varieties, a little TLC goes a long way to keeping your plants healthy and flourishing. In this guide, you’ll learn how to plant and care for verbena to ensure months of dazzling blooms, and get expert troubleshooting tips for solving common problems before they get out of hand.
On this page: Basics | Types | Planting | Care | Pictures | Troubleshooting | FAQs
On this page:
Winter hardy in zones 8-11. Garden verbenas (Verbena ×hybrida) are grown as annuals in most climates.
“Sometimes you may have 10 days of amazing blooms, then a bit of a lag. Then, color comes back in full force!” — Growing Beautiful Verbena Flowers, Corey from Up North Garden.
TOP 10 Hardy Cold Tolerant Perennials ❄️ Winter Flowers to Thrive
FAQ
What is the lowest temperature for verbena?
Be sure to follow label directions. Lemon verbena typically drops its leaves when temperatures dip below 40 degrees F, entering dormancy.
Will verbena survive frost?
While these plants can withstand some frost, they are not invincible. Their adaptations allow them to endure winter conditions, but they remain vulnerable to extreme cold and prolonged frost. Understanding these characteristics can help you better prepare your Evergreen Verbena for the winter months.
Is verbena frost resistant?
Despite its origins it is perfectly frost hardy down to -10° for short periods and, if it does get clipped by frost before it has completely died down, it …
Is verbena cold hardiness?
Hardiness: Hardiness depends on the specific species, but most perennial verbenas thrive in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-11. They are well-suited for a variety of uses, including borders, containers, rock gardens, and as ground covers.
Are verbenas winter hardy?
Winter hardy in Zones 9 and 10. One of the most fuss-free flowering plants you can grow, verbena suffers from few pest or disease problems. When issues do arise, they are usually due to not enough sunlight or poorly drained soil. Here are some stress signals to look for and potential solutions. Are verbenas drought tolerant?
Can verbena withstand cold temperatures?
Here is a general overview of verbena’s ability to withstand cold temperatures: Most verbena varieties tolerate temperatures down to the mid to low 30s Fahrenheit. Some newer verbena varieties can tolerate temperatures into the mid to upper 20s Fahrenheit range. Once temperatures drop below freezing, verbena will suffer damage.
How hot can verbena grow?
With a little care and attention, you can grow verbena in your yard or garden! The ideal temperature range for growing verbena is between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Verbena can tolerate some temperature fluctuation. But prolonged exposure to temperatures outside of this range can cause stress and damage to the plant.
Is Verbena drought tolerant?
Verbena is drought-tolerant but will create more flowers with consistent moisture. With a little care and attention, you can grow verbena in your yard or garden! The ideal temperature range for growing verbena is between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Verbena can tolerate some temperature fluctuation.
Can verbena grow outside?
Verbena can tolerate some temperature fluctuation. But prolonged exposure to temperatures outside of this range can cause stress and damage to the plant. When you live in an area with colder winters, it’s best to grow verbena as an annual or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Which verbena plant is suitable for winter care?
Another type of verbena that is suitable for winter care is Verbena rigida. This plant is native to South American countries such as Brazil, Argentina, and Peru and is known for its upright growth habit and small, pink flowers. Verbena rigida is a hardy perennial, so it can handle cold temperatures and is well-suited to winter care.