I found that it self-seeded fairly well. But a cold winter called 'fair thee well' in the end. My brief summation is that the species is not totally hardy to the full effects of the UK climate.
i've got some flowering from last years. I save seed each year and sow it in plug trays, and then just pop the plugs in where I want them. about 50% survive most winters.
I noticed my neighbour clearing a flower bed in her front garden the other day.
The 'soil' was dry clay that was like concrete, yet there were 100's of V.B. seedlings about 2" she was clearing. She bought 3 plants last yr and they've seeded all over the place.
Even 1 coming up in the fottpath! I sowed seed in March and my plants are about 9" now
Good luck!
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
reading this post reminded me that I tried some verbena b seeds this year but gave up on them. I've just been to have a look again - could they be amongst this straggly crew?
You could leave them where they are until next spring, if you need the space then pot them up into MPC with added grit. not till it's cooller though!
After a winter they always look dead but I just leave them be, cut off obvious tall dead growth and see what happens. They often come up from the base, I think some folk think they are dead, Patience is the game, but you will lose a couple.
Can't see anything resembling VB there, but at the far left you have what looks like lavender (with the thin slightly furry leaves) and several other seedlings look like they may not be weeds. The group of 5 healthy looking ones on the right look interesting - I seem to recognise them, but can't think what they are at the moment.
A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
Found another tray of seedlings hidden in one of my beds - complete with label VB! 3 sets of leaves each. How would I care for them now? Will they grow to anything for this or next year or is it too late?
I dug out some tiny seedlings from the cracks in my patio and they have grown on really well, They are now between 4" & 6" high & in 3" pots.
Trouble is I am not sure what to do next - do I plant them out in the autumn or leave them to overwinter in a cold frame? If I do leave them in a cold frame, should I pot them on into bigger pots or leave them as they are?
Hi Ann - I'd pot them on once they've filled those little pots, and just overwinter them somewhere sheltered to let them get to a decent size for planting out in spring. The cold frame would be ideal. If you're in a sheltered area you might want to try sticking a few out, but they're likely to succumb to the weather before they get sturdy enough.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Posts
Hmmmmm. thats a thought to keep in mind then. Think I will keep some on the go for that reason come spring. Thanks.
i've got some flowering from last years. I save seed each year and sow it in plug trays, and then just pop the plugs in where I want them. about 50% survive most winters.
I noticed my neighbour clearing a flower bed in her front garden the other day.
The 'soil' was dry clay that was like concrete, yet there were 100's of V.B. seedlings about 2" she was clearing. She bought 3 plants last yr and they've seeded all over the place.
Even 1 coming up in the fottpath!
I sowed seed in March and my plants are about 9" now
Good luck!
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
reading this post reminded me that I tried some verbena b seeds this year but gave up on them. I've just been to have a look again - could they be amongst this straggly crew?
And if so what would be the next plan?
Did you ask for some seedlings, Pete8?
You could leave them where they are until next spring, if you need the space then pot them up into MPC with added grit. not till it's cooller though!
After a winter they always look dead but I just leave them be, cut off obvious tall dead growth and see what happens. They often come up from the base, I think some folk think they are dead, Patience is the game, but you will lose a couple.
Can't see anything resembling VB there, but at the far left you have what looks like lavender (with the thin slightly furry leaves) and several other seedlings look like they may not be weeds. The group of 5 healthy looking ones on the right look interesting - I seem to recognise them, but can't think what they are at the moment.
Found another tray of seedlings hidden in one of my beds - complete with label VB! 3 sets of leaves each. How would I care for them now? Will they grow to anything for this or next year or is it too late?
I dug out some tiny seedlings from the cracks in my patio and they have grown on really well, They are now between 4" & 6" high & in 3" pots.
Trouble is I am not sure what to do next - do I plant them out in the autumn or leave them to overwinter in a cold frame? If I do leave them in a cold frame, should I pot them on into bigger pots or leave them as they are?
Advice much appreciated
Hi Ann - I'd pot them on once they've filled those little pots, and just overwinter them somewhere sheltered to let them get to a decent size for planting out in spring. The cold frame would be ideal. If you're in a sheltered area you might want to try sticking a few out, but they're likely to succumb to the weather before they get sturdy enough.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...