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Verbena Bonariensis falling over

jaimelebirdjaimelebird Posts: 38
in Problem solving
Hello,
I have plant 3 of these plants in a semi shaded area. 1 is standing upright about a metre tall, the other 2 have called over.
Any help and advice greatly received.
Thanks 

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Posts

  • mikeymustardmikeymustard Posts: 495
    It only needs a bit of wind or (as happens on my patio) a sparrer to land on it a but rough and they can topple. We prop all our tall stuff up with twigs and branches before they get that big. If they lk OK then just tie them to something 
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    Hi there, they really like full sun so may be reacting to lack of it.  They do also start to keel over with lack of water so that's another possibility.  If you have a better sunny location, try moving them carefully towards the end of the day when it's cool and water well.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • jaimelebirdjaimelebird Posts: 38
    Thanks @mikeymustard and @plantminded I will give one a support, and try moving the other to a sunnier spot and see what happens. 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I find that growing them close together in clusters, with other herbaceous perennials, keeps them all propping each other up. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • jaimelebirdjaimelebird Posts: 38
    Thanks @Dovefromabove I may have given them too much space.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    dense planting is def'ly the way to go.
  • jaimelebirdjaimelebird Posts: 38
    Thanks @Fire.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Yes - other shrubs/perennials for support is the ideal method. If not, then some branches cut from a shrub/hedge is a good way of supporting them, as they're less visible. 
    If they're in a shadier spot, on their own, they'll tend to lean towards the sun, which exacerbates the problem  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • jaimelebirdjaimelebird Posts: 38
    Thanks @Fairygirl I will move them closer to other plants.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    They don't have huge root systems, so it doesn't take much for them to get dislodged too, especially once they get taller and heftier.    :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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