Verbena hybrid and representatives of the vervain family

An annual ornamental plant, which has the form of a small bush, from the family of verbena. In addition to annual varieties, there is also a perennial flower - verbena straight. However, most often, gardeners can see representatives of the variety "Verbena Hybrid". This plant appeared due to long-term selection and hybrid of several other verbena species.

On hard stems, up to 35 cm in height, spikelets of the inflorescences are arranged, in each of which there are up to sixty flowers. The diameter of the flower depends on the plant variety and ranges from one and a half to five centimeters. At first glance, the inflorescence generally resembles an umbrella. The color range is quite wide: there are flowers of white, yellow, red, pink, blue, blue and pale red shades. Even the type of coloration is different.

Verbena hybrid blooms in early summer and serves as a decoration until the very first frosts. Especially beautiful verbena looks in combination with chrysanthemums and oaks in one flowerbed. Often, the flower is grown in portable pots or suspended pots. Verbena hybrid will be an excellent decoration of any flower greenhouse and winter garden.

In order to prolong flowering, the gardener must constantly monitor the plant, and tear off inflorescences that have already faded. And you can even, if necessary, water the verbena with various mineral top dressings, especially with iron content. When the iron is not enough, the flower begins to fade and the upper leaves wither and fall off. Although verbena hybrid is not whimsical to the conditions of care, it is important to provide it with constant watering. In winter, water moderately, and in cool weather, protect the soil from drying out. Cultivation and reproduction of verbena occurs through the planting of seeds in the open ground or pot in the spring. The main thing is that the air temperature is not lower than thirteen degrees, although the desired temperature is eighteen degrees Celsius. Or you can do this: in late summer or autumn, plant verbena seeds and grow them until spring, and then cut the stalk into the final place of further flowering.

At home, you can grow and annuals, and perennial varieties for several years. The main thing in a year or two is to transplant the flower into a more voluminous pot. In the period January-February, put additional lighting, since there is no natural daylight.

As mentioned a little earlier, there is a verbena of many years, known as the "straight line". Perennial grows to a height of one and a half meters and has a lush crown with grayish-green leaves. Of all the annual varieties, the verbena Bonar, or Buenos Aires, stands out, with its long stems and buds at the very top. It grows to 150-170 cm in height. Inflorescences are collected in a heap and resemble a small whisk, no more than five centimeters in diameter.

Plant the Bonar verbena preferably on the plot of land, but not in the open space, so that the bushes do not blow the winds to the sides. The plant perfectly suits in loam, moist and permeable soil. Excellent withstands frost up to 7 degrees. If the bushes are left for winter in the soil, it is necessary to cover them with leaves, sawdust or straw to protect them from more severe frosts. Old stems cut off, should remain about four shoots, at the bottom of the stem. After pruning, bushes are watered with top dressing and vitamin solutions.

Extracts of verbena are used in perfumery and cosmetic procedures, thanks to its aroma and useful properties of essential oils. The aroma of the plant has a beneficial effect on the nervous system, with strong mental loads. There is only one contraindication: verbena oils are forbidden to use during pregnancy and lactation.