Verbena – Superbena^® Purple

Attracts: Butterflies

Resists: Deer

Continuous Re-Bloom

Dead-Heading Not Necessary

Heat Tolerant

Long Blooming

Fall Interest

Maintenance Notes

Self-cleaning, no deadheading necessary.

Superbena are our most vigorous, heat tolerant, and mildew tolerant series. While always great in containers they are also fantastic in landscape beds. They can tolerate dry soils and lower fertility. Normally either an application of slow release fertilizer or amending with compost is enough to keep them happy and blooming in landscape beds. They shouldn't need to be trimmed back but can be given a "haircut" - a trim back - using a sharp pair of scissors or pruning shears at any time. While naturally well branched, trimming them back will encourage additional branching, fuller plants, and ultimately more flowers. I usually give them a very slight trim as I am transplanting to boost branching.

An application of fertilizer or compost on garden beds and regular fertilization of plants in pots will help ensure the best possible performance.

Uses Notes

Use in hanging baskets, window boxes, landscaping and combinations.

Maintenance Category Easy

Water Category Average

Bloom Time

Flower Form Border Plant, Container, Groundcover, Landscape, Mass Planting

Soil Fertility Average Soil

pH B - pH 5.8 - 6.2

EC (2:1 Extraction Method) 0.6 - 0.9

Fertilization 150 - 200

Light Requirements High

Water Requirements Moderate to Moist

Rooting Out Temperature 65 - 72° Fahrenheit

Growing On Temperature 65 - 72° Fahrenheit

Holding Temperature 50 - 60° Fahrenheit

Planting and Timing Information

Early Spring through Fall Finish. Standard PPP. Best in 6" and larger pots, except for Superbena Royales and Superbena Sparkling varieties which work great in 4.5" or larger.

Finishing Times [weeks]
4-5" and Quart Pot : 4-6
6" and Gallon Pot : 5-7
7-9" Pot : 7-9
10-12" and Two Gallon Pot : 8-12

Pinching and Growth Regulators

For all sizes of containers, pinch the liner 1–2 weeks after transplant; for containers larger than 6” and for hanging baskets, trim around the edge of the container as needed prior to spacing or hanging of the baskets.

Sumagic at 5-10 ppm may be used to keep neighboring pots from growing into each other. Growth can be controlled using lower temperatures. Superbena Royales and Superbena Sparkling varieties will need less PGR manipulation and will be easier for small pot production.

Pest and Disease Management

General pest and disease practices as listed in notes. Powdery Mildew can be a problem for verbena. Proper air circulation, humidity control and water management will aid in control and prevention. A broad spectrum fungicide application two after transplanting is highly suggested. Good sanitation practices include keeping greenhouses clean at all times, eliminating weeds and debris, disinfecting equipment in greenhouses as often as possible and keeping hose ends off of the greenhouse floor. Good water management practices are critical for good, healthy plant growth.

Grower Tips

-High light in production is essential. -200 ppm fertilizer is optimal -Superbena is our most vigorous series of Verbenas. -Superbena Royale and Superbena Sparkling varieties have more controlled growth and will work more easily in smaller pot sizes as well as filling larger pot sizes. -Superbenas are our most vigorous Verbena series and are our best series in very hot environments. Low pH and severe dry down can cause Iron toxicity if supplemental Iron has been applied. -Superbena Royales and Superbena Sparkling are more compact, with great flower coverage. They will need less PGR manipulation and will be easier in small pot production than other Superbenas.