Country Red

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Verbenaceae

Order

Lamiales

Genus

Verbena

Species

x hybrida

Description

An interspecific hybrid with a semi-trailing or upright habit, depending on the variety, and a compact growth habit. The profuse flowering createscushionsof bright colours in a wide range of shades, making the available varieties suitable for decorating flowerbeds and borders, as well as for planters and pots, including hanging ones, and for use in arrangements with other ornamental plants.

Variety description

Country is a verbena grown from seed, featuring large flowers and a compact, well-branched habit. It is hardy in the garden in semi-shaded or shaded but bright positions, and flowers for 5–6 months, with a slight drop in flowering during the hottest part of summer. It can also be grown at low temperatures, but only 2–3 weeks after transplanting, which is best done in a heated greenhouse with minimum temperatures above 14°C. Later plantings carried out from early spring can also tolerate lower minimum temperatures from the start, but not below 10°C. It requires greenhouses that are always well ventilated to prevent disease and achieve the best foliage quality.

Curiosities and special features

In ancient times, verbena was regarded as a magical plant and was used both in ritual and propitiatory ceremonies and for medicinal purposes; the Celts, for example, used it as a remedy for kidney stones; the Romans also regarded it as sacred, as Pliny the Elder attests in his *Naturalis Historia*; in particular, it seems to have been used during religious ceremonies, and its name is said to derive from this usage, from the Latin ‘Verbenae’, meaning ‘sacred twig’. Legend has it that verbena was used to heal the wounds of the crucified Jesus.

The term ‘Verbena’ may also derive from the Celtic ‘Ferfaen’, meaning ‘to drive away the stone’, given its use in the treatment of stones in ancient times.

Origin and distribution

The genus Verbena comprises species native mainly to South America, Asia and Europe; the hybrids available today are the result of intensive breeding work, which began in the mid-19th century, involving crosses between species such as V. peruviana, V. phlogiflora, V. platensis and V. tweedieana.

Flower size

The individual flowers are small in size, lending a touch of elegance to the profuse bloom.

Leaf

Leaf has a lanceolate lamina.

Flowering period

The flowering season lasts from early spring to early autumn for a period of between 130 and 160 days, allowing us to enjoy the colours of its flowers for a long time.

Inflorescence

Inflorescence umbrella.

Leaf colour

Solid colour.

Plant height

The plant grows to a height of between 0.2 and 0.25 m, making it ideal for creating dense, colourful clumps.

Lifespan

Often cultivated as an annual in relation to the climatic conditions present.

Where to plant

Ideal for adding colour and elegance toflowerbeds, balconies, borders and planters

Stem

Ithas a herbaceous stem andthis variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower is simple in form, small in size, with a gamopetalous corolla and solid-coloured petals. It is arranged in medium-sized umbel-like inflorescences. It flowers from early spring to early autumn, with a flowering period of between 130 and 160 days. It gives off a sweet, delicate scent. It attracts bees and bumblebees.

Growth

Develops a compact Growth, ideal for creating dense and colourful groups.

Plant habit

It grows upright, making it suitable for use in mixed plantings with other ornamental species to create a highly decorative effect.

Branching

This variety develops amoderate branching pattern, giving it excellent ornamental value, with patches of colourful flowers set against a backdrop of dense, lush foliage.

PH

The optimal soil or medium pH range for best Growth and flowering results is slightly acidic, between 5.5 and 6.5.

Soil preparation

Before transplanting in the spring, dig the flowerbed to a depth of about 20 cm, removing weeds, any debris from previous crops and large stones; then work in some slow-release fertiliser and, using a spade, break up the larger clods. To improve drainage of excess water, continue by creating a raised bed by slightly mounding the soil; finally, add a layer of professional-grade potting mix to the surface to a depth of about 5–10 cm and level it carefully.

Sun exposure

Sun exposures in which it develops best are in half shade, full sun but above 300 m above sea level.

Ideal climate and temperature

The optimal temperature range is between 8 and 32 °C. The ideal temperature is between 14 and 18 °C for best flowering.

Use

Thanks to its attractive form and long flowering period, it is highly regarded and widely used as a plant in
outdoor ornamental Landscaping

Hardiness

It isconsidered to be of medium hardiness; by adhering to certain growing conditions regarding exposure and watering, we can achieve excellent results in terms of growth and flowering.

Soil

It prefers a medium-textured, rather light, well-draining soil. A substrate for spring plants based on peat and perlite is recommended for use in planters and pots.

Difficulty

It is easy to grow but requires a moderate level of care.

Growing tips

To ensure proper growth, we recommend:
Place outdoors once there is no longer a risk of frost

Combinations with other plants

Depending on the variety chosen, verbena can be combined with other ornamental plants such as Bidens ferulifolium, Coleus blumei, Calibrachoa, Lysimachia congestiflora, Lobularia maritima, Mecardonia x hybrida, Petunia x hybrida and Tagetes patula.

Planting

To ensure each plant develops properly in the bed, plant at an average density of 21 plants per square metre. We recommend placing each seedling in a raised bed with the root collar above ground level, taking care not to damage the roots and avoiding burying the root balls completely; they should be kept well-moistened. Finally, water immediately after planting, preferably in the morning.

Propagation

It can be propagated from seed or by tip cuttings.

Watering

Use rainwater, or alternatively tap water that is not too cold. Maintain a constant level of soil or growing medium moisture, avoiding both periods of dryness – which can cause leaf desiccation – and excessive watering, which can lead to waterlogging, root rot and yellowing of the foliage. It is also advisable not to water the above-ground part of the plant from above to prevent plant diseases and rot on the flowers.

Fertilising

When preparing the soil, apply a base dressing of slow-release organic-mineral fertiliser. During the spring and summer, once the plant has settled in properly after transplanting, use a balanced liquid fertiliser specifically formulated for flowering ornamental plants, applying it to the soil or growing medium in appropriate doses as indicated on the label.

Care video

https://youtu.be/euPanvCXY5M

Pet safety

No known toxicity in pets following ingestion; assess on a case-by-case basis.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible.

Toxicity for humans

Toxicity unknown; avoid ingestion.

Tip

It can be placed in the garden or on the balcony as early as the beginning of spring without fear of a return of cold weather (though minimum temperatures must remain above 0°C). Only at high altitudes, above 500 metres, can it be kept in full sun all day long.