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Verbena bonariensis

InBloomInBloom Posts: 68
in Plants
Do Verbena bonariensis get a bit old or is it more this weather they've not liked? 

I have a row of them all down the border. This will be their third year but they're looking very straggly and sparse. From the crown some have only thrown up one stem this year. 

I know I've likely under watered and they have very bad mildew, they get it every year. I'm trying to make some preparations now for better results next year, with everything really. 

So do I replace them please now they've been in 3 years?  Or should they really be fine? 
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Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I planted 2 or 3 about 5 years ago and I get them popping up in all the borders now as they self-seed quite freely.

    You can see the parent plants on the left and right and in between are the seedlings that have appeared this year.
    I dig them up and put them where I want them.
    Some of mine shrivelled and died but others are OK and there are hundreds of seedlings around.


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • InBloomInBloom Posts: 68
    I've got hundreds of seedlings too. I was going to do some weeding this afternoon. Is it best to replace the old plants? I don't know how long they live for because usually perennials can last years.

    If it is then I'll dig them up this afternoon and replace them with the self seeded young ones if they'll survive the winter 
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Cut them back and see if they're worth keeping next spring.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I generally leave it all until the spring when you can see what's alive and what's not survived. Then I move the seedlings to where I want them and pull out the rest.

    The seedlings will flower next year and in spring I pull out any of the older ones that don't look great. You end up with so many plants you don't know what to do with them all - even the neighbours don't want them anymore :)
    The birds try an balance on the dried seed heads over winter for whatever seeds are left inside.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • InBloomInBloom Posts: 68
    Thanks for the picture Pete mine are a bit like that and falling over 
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Yes, some get battered over winter, that's why I wait until Spring to decide which stay, go or get moved.
    They're a bit like forget-me-nots - once you've got them you're stuck with them :)

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    They do get woody after two or three years better to pull these out in the spring, assuming you have some new seedlings starting to appear. Some may also be suffering from mildew I take these out too.
    What you do may depend on where you live, further north it may be best to keep every one that appears . Seedlings can appear as spring progresses into summer too.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    I treat them as annuals as they never seem to come back strongly in my dry, sandy soil.  I've grown V. Bampton this year as an alternative so I'll see how this returns next year.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    I tried the Brampton this year in a large container with a purple petunia. I love it. Hope I manage to recognise the seedlings. With any luck there'll be some in the container.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • RedwingRedwing Posts: 1,511
    From my experience they do well for a couple of years, then best replaced with seedings or better yet, let the seedlings stay where they grow. Remove the old ones after two or three years but not before the frost gets them.  In a mild winter they will continue to flower up til Christmas and beyond if you're lucky.
    Based in Sussex, I garden to encourage as many birds to my garden as possible.
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