Pruning Verbena officinalis

Pruning Verbena officinalis (post #12805)

Gruemscheli on Wed, 02/06/2008 - 22:56

Herbs

Hi, my name is Patricia, I'm living in Switzerland, close to the Bernese Oberland.
I received a Verbena officinalis plant last year, it's actually already a small bush, about 1.5 meters high. I read that it needs to be pruned in early spring, but how much and where?
It lost all it's leaves in fall, I took it in a cool place for overwintering but don't really know what to do with this spiky looking guy now...
thanks for your help!!

(post #12805, reply #1 of 5)

by the country gardener in reply to Gruemscheli [original] on Thu, 02/07/2008 - 08:14

Patricia -

are you sure of the plant's identification? The plant I know as Verbena officinalis is an annual that doesn't get that big.

Marty

"The plants have been good to us." Lester Hawkins

Marty

"The plants have been good to us." Lester Hawkins

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by Gruemscheli in reply to Anonymous [original] on Thu, 02/07/2008 - 21:37

Hi Country gardener,
well, the plant looked like verbena off. (last summer..), smelled and tasted like it... and I was told by the people who gave it to me that it's supposed to be this kind. But they also clearly said, that in winter, left outside, it's going to die.

I saw today, that it's starting to send out tiny green leavy tips already.

Have a good day!

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by Abbie in reply to Gruemscheli [original] on Thu, 02/07/2008 - 17:51

Hi Patricia,

I had not known that verbena came in bush form - the only ones I am familiar with are the annual and the perennial forms. In checking Google, I found one site that may be of help in pruning them; the author certainly is sure of himself in expressing what MUST BE DONE! But hopefully, he will have some good information.

The other site is Dave's Gardens which is always interesting just for general information and the opinions of others who have grown the plant you're interested in.

Hope this helps,
Abbie

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/plantanswers/98promotions/march/march.html
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/51506/

Northern Virginia, Zone 7A.

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by Gruemscheli in reply to Anonymous [original] on Thu, 02/07/2008 - 21:38

Hi Abbie,
thanks, I'm definitely going to check these sites out and let you know about it (if you're interested).
Patricia

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by Molecule in reply to Gruemscheli [original] on Wed, 02/27/2008 - 03:24

Are you perhaps refering to lemon verbena, Aloysia triphylla? They grow into lanky shrubs and can over-winter indoors (or in a shed, depending on climate). It will go dormant and lose all its leaves. Cut it back by two-thirds in late winter and set it outside again when the weather warms. I live on Vancouver Island (Canada) and do this with great success.
Regards,
M.

Pruning Verbena officinalis