Tosca Mix

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Verbenaceae

Order

Lamiales

Genus

Verbena

Species

x hybrida

Description

Interspecific hybrid with a semi-recumbent or erect habit, depending on variety, and compact growth. The luxuriant flowering creates brightly coloured cushions in a wide colour assortment with different shades, making the available varieties suitable for flower beds, borders as well as for planters and pots, including hanging pots, even in compositions with other ornamentals.

Variety description

Tosca is a seed-grown verbena with large flowers and a compact, well-tended foliage. It is hardy in beds for semi-shaded or shady but bright locations, and flowers for 5-6 months with a slight drop in flowers in the warmer summer period. It can also be grown at low temperatures, but only 2-3 weeks after transplanting, which is best done in a warm greenhouse with t. minima above 14°c. Later cultivations from early spring can also tolerate lower minimum temperatures from the start, but not below 10°c. Always needs well-ventilated greenhouses to prevent diseases and obtain the best foliage quality.

Curiosities and special features

In antiquity, verbena was considered a magical plant and used both during ritual and propitiatory ceremonies as well as in the medical field. The Celts, for example, used it as a remedy for kidney stones; the Romans also considered it sacred, as Pliny the Elder testifies in his Naturalis Historia. Legend has it that verbena was used to heal the wounds of Jesus Crucified.

The term Verbena may also derive from the Celtic 'Ferfaen', meaning 'drive away the stone', given its use in curing calculi in antiquity.

Origin and distribution

The Verbena genus includes species that mainly originate from South America, Asia and Europe; the hybrids available today are the result of intensive selection work, which began in the mid-19th century, through crosses between species such as V. peruviana, V. phlogiflora, V. platensis and V. tweedieana.

Flower size

The flower individually is small in size, lending refinement to the abundant flowering.

Leaf

Leaf has a lanceolate lamina.

Flowering period

Flowering lasts from early spring to early autumn for a duration of 130 to 160 days, allowing us to admire the colour shades of its flowers for a long time.

Inflorescence

Inflorescence umbrella.

Leaf colour

Solid colour tone.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.2 to 0.25 m, ideal for creating dense, colourful masses.

Lifespan

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

Where to plant

Suitable for adding colour and elegance to flowerbeds, balconies, borders, tubs

Stem

Herbaceous stem, the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower is simple in form, small in size, with a gamopetalous corolla and plain petals. It is arranged in medium-sized umbel inflorescences. It flowers from early spring to early autumn, with a flowering period of between 130 and 160 days. It has sweet notes and is lightly scented, with a delicate aroma. It is attractive to bees and bumblebees.

Growth

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

Plant habit

The developed habit is erect, also allowing it to be used in mixed compositions with other ornamental species with a high decorative result.

Branching

The variety develops a medium branching, which gives it an excellent ornamental value, with colourful patches of flowers within a dense and rich vegetation.

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 the plants into the bed in spring, dig up the bed about 20 cm deep, remove weeds, any residues from previous crops and bulky stones, bury slow-release fertiliser and break up the coarsest clods with a hoe. To improve the drainage of excess water, continue by creating a raised bed by lightly ballasting, then add professional quality substrate on the surface for about 5/10 cm and carefully level.

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 biological temperature is between 8 and 32 °C. The ideal temperature is between 14 and 18 °C for better flowering.

Use

Due to its bearing and long flowering, it is appreciated and widely used as a plant in
Outdoor ornamental Landscaping

Hardiness

It is considered to be of medium hardiness; by adhering to a few cultivation conditions regarding exposure and irrigation, excellent growth and flowering results can be achieved.

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

Easy to grow, it requires a medium level of management effort.

Growing tips

For proper development, we recommend
Put outside when there is no longer a risk of frost

Combinations with other plants

Depending on the variety chosen, verbena can be used in compositions with other ornamentals such as Bidens ferulifolium, Coleus blumei, Calibrachoa, Lysimachia congestiflora, Lobularia maritima, Mecardonia x hybrida , Petunia x hybrida, Tagetes patula.

Planting

In order to obtain a correct development of each specimen in the flowerbed, apply an average density of 21 plants per square metre. We suggest placing each seedling on a raised bed with the collar off the soil surface, taking care not to damage the roots and avoiding completely sinking the lumps, which must be well moistened; finally, water immediately after planting, preferably during the morning hours.

Propagation

It can be propagated from seed or by apical cuttings.

Watering

Use rainwater, or alternatively aqueduct water at a not excessively low temperature. Maintain a constant humidity of the soil or substrate, avoiding both dryness, which can cause leaf desiccation, as well as excessive watering with subsequent stagnation, root rot and yellowing of the vegetation. It is also advisable not to water the aerial part of the plant from above in order to prevent phytopathologies and rot on the flowers.

Fertilising

During soil preparation, carry out a background fertilisation with slow-release organo-mineral fertiliser. During the spring-summer period, following proper post-transplant settlement, use a balanced liquid fertiliser specifically for flowering ornamental plants, to be applied to the soil or substrate in appropriate doses as indicated on the relevant information label.

Care video

https://youtu.be/euPanvCXY5M

Pet safety

Ingestion toxicity for pets not known, consider case-specific.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible.

Toxicity for humans

Toxicity not known, avoid ingestion.

Tip

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