The list of flowers and plants used in creating outdoor flowering containers continues to grow as new plants and varieties of plants are being introduced yearly.

 

Colours, textures, bloom times, are all factors when choosing the right plants for the visual affect you are looking for. Whether you decide to create a mixed container with a selection of plants or a container filled with just one variety of your favourite plant 'Verbena' is a top 10 favourite among many gardeners and a plant that does very well in containers. The varieties that are used in containers are the trailing types that hang over the sides of the pot. The fragrant flowers are tiny but they grow in clusters making a beautiful display, that even the butterflies are attracted to.

 

Verbena has been around for years but the selection of verbena has increased with many new bright colours and varieties. 'Proven Winners' has come out with some beautiful hybrids including the 'Babylon', 'Tapien', 'Tukana','Temari' and 'Superbena' hybrids. Each of these hybrids has different colours so there is a colour to fit any combination or on their own.

 

The superbena hybrids have an upright/cascading growing habit, growing 6-12 inches high and can spread up to 48 inches. A very vigorous grower, that is heat and drought tolerant. 'Babylon' types are the earliest to bloom with a mounding cascading growth habit that trail to 36 inches and grow 10-14 inches tall. They are low maintenance because they do not need deadheading as they are self cleaning. 'Tapien' verbena grows like a carpet. It has fine foliage and as it grows the branches that are touching the soil will self root making it ideal as a landscape plant where you want to cover the ground with flowers. We've had this hybrid growing in our raised flowerbed and it is a nice compliment to roses and other plants that are higher growing and blooming. We have also grown the other hybrids in the flower beds and they bloomed well into the fall as they can take a frost.

 

Verbena grows in full to partial sun and enjoy a well drained soil. They are easy to care for and will bloom throughout the summer and into the fall. They grow well in containers as well as in the flowerbed. In containers they look good mixed with supertunias, osteospermum, nemesia, geraniums, or any your other favourites or you can just have them growing on their own. Either way, verbena is a must have when it comes to making up your outdoor flowering containers.