Are Obsessions Perennials?

About Obsession Verbena

• Many of the verbena species are hybrids with the varying flower colors grouped into series. The Verbena ---hybrida "Obsession" is one of those series, often referred to as the verbena-Obsession series. Verbena-Obsession series was developed primarily for the the commercial greenhouse industry to provide an early germinating verbena with vibrant colored, long, continuous blooming flowers to sell to retail garden centers. Though all verbena can be started from seed, most home gardeners prefer to purchase their verbena as bedding plants.

As a Perennial

• In USDA hardiness zones 8 to 15, verbena-Obsession are considered a tender perennial and can remain in the ground, or in containers, year-round. The plant flowers from early spring into late fall in all zones, going dormant during the cooler winter months. Verbena-Obsession is sensitive to the high heat of summer which may limit or stop flower production, but the plant will recuperate when temperatures fall and will continue blooming until late fall. Cuttings can be taken for propagating new plants at any time of the year.

As an Annual

• Classified as frost tender, verbena-Obsession plants are grown as an annual in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 7, though overwintering can be done if the plant is potted and placed in a location that does not fall below 40 degrees F. Gardeners in colder zones can take healthy cuttings of the plant in the fall to propagate over the winter for new plants in the spring. Verbena-Obsession is often grown as a trailing container plant and for hanging baskets, making it easier to relocate to a warm, sunny location over the winter.

Care

• Verbena-Obsession plants prefer sunny locations with slightly acidic, well-draining, fertile soil. Regular watering to keep the soil moist should be done by drip method or flood irrigation to avoid the potential of powdery mildew developing, to which verbena-Obsession is highly susceptible if temperatures and humidity are high. Fertilizing verbena-Obsession plants is optional, but should cease once flower buds form to avoid growing more foliage than flowers. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage continuous blooming of your verbena-Obsession plants.