How to Plant Trailing Verbena Flowers

Plant trailing verbena in a location that receives full sun throughout the day after all danger of frost has passed. It grows best in a well-drained soil.

Dig a hole the size of the trailing verbena’s root ball. Place the plant in the hole and refill, tamping the soil gently to firm.

Space the trailing verbena plants 8 to 12 inches apart. The plants will spread and form wide clumps as they grow.

Water thoroughly after planting. Keep the newly planted verbenas moist until the roots are established, which generally takes four to five weeks.

Water the trailing verbena plants once a week after they are established. Provide water to supplement rainfall so they receive at least 1 inch of water a week. While verbena is fairly drought and heat tolerant, water frequently during hot, dry weather to encourage blooming.

Feed the trailing verbena with a complete fertilizer, such as 16-4-8, in mid to late spring. Continue to fertilize the plants every six to eight weeks throughout the growing season. Follow label instructions.

Inspect the plants regularly for signs of pests and disease. Diseases that may affect trailing verbena include powdery mildew, which appears as a white powder on the surfaces of leaves; botrylis blight, a gray, fuzzy fungus which may affect the flowers; and root rot, which may occur when the soil is too wet. Pests that commonly infest trailing verbena include mites, aphids, whitefly, thrips, leaf miners, snails and slugs. Consult your local county extension for recommendations when dealing with pests or disease.