Verbena litoralis

SEASHORE VERVAIN

No WA

Verbena litoralis
SEASHORE VERVAIN

Verbena litoralis soars up with branching candelabra heads making wonderful shapes against the sky or background.
With the showy branched top-knots made up of individually small flowers in lovely soft shades of pinks, purples and blues.
Not listed for entry to WA

Handy plant for rear positions, as it is all soaring up and very little out

Verbena litoralis is such a handy plant for rear positions, as it is all up and very little out.
And it is ideal for a hot spot or at the back of the border where flowers are very freely and continuously produced with little or no attention.

Tough, hardy & easy to grow

As the common name of Seashore Vervain implies, Verbena litoralis is a great choice for seaside planting.
And it’s willowing transparent presence just bends with the wind and creates an airy, light look.
But it is also ideal for anywhere where the soil is well drained.
So sandy, gravel and rocky soils are much to it’s taste.

Heat & dry resistant

Verbena litoralis revels in heat, with a minimum of water, and plenty of air, wind and exposure.
But has also proven to be perfectly hardy in our cold, frosty climate too.
So plant it in Full Sun, and well drained soil.
Seaside Vervain hails from the beaches of Hawaii, and the Americas from Mexico south through Central and South America including Argentina and Chile. So no wonder it is hardy and adaptable.

Tall, willowy candelabras

Hardy perennial, which usually self seeds as well once you have it established. Which is handy to ensure you always have a good supply of plants to replace any that are short-lived.
Bees and our other little pollinating friends just love the nectar rich flower heads and treat the abundant flowers as a smorgasbord.

Tall, willowy candelabras of flowers 1.5m. H x 75cm. Wide clump of inoffensive foliage.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: QUICK & EASY
Suitable for beginners & gardening with kids

Sow all year in punnets indoors / or scatter in the garden in spring or autumn.

INDOORS: First sow seed in a punnet on the surface of good quality seed raising mix.
Then gently press the seeds onto the surface of the mix, to ensure good contact.

Now barely cover seed.
And you can use sieved mix / fine grit / vermiculite / washed sand to sprinkle over the seeds.

Then thoroughly moisten the mix from below – by standing the sown punnet into a shallow water bath.
So the moisture percolates right up through the mix from the bottom.

Soak for a short time until moisture appears on the surface of the mix, and then remove and drain.
Because the mix needs to be moist throughout, but not wet.

Then place the punnet moist in a warm position (not in direct sun).
And place a dark lid over the punnet, as these seeds germinate best in dark.

Temperatures of 15-20°C approx. are best for rapid and optimum germination.
You can use a temperature-controlled heat mat if you have one for rapid germination, but it is not essential. A warm window-sill fine.

And continue to keep the punnet moist by spraying the surface of the mix a fine spray water bottle, or re-soaking in the water bath, as required.
Seedlings begin to emerge in approx. 14-28 days.
But may take up to 90 days if not chilled first.

Speed up germination

But you can also speed up and maximize the germination process by giving the sown seeds a period of moist chilling first.
So cling-wrap the moist, freshly sown punnet, cover to exclude light, and place in the fridge (not freezer) for 14 days. Then remove, unwrap, keep dark and moist.

Seeds germinate in 14 to 28 days.
Remove the dark cover once germination appears.

Pot on seedlings to harden off and mature before planting out in the garden. After that they look after themselves and re-sow each year.

SEED COUNT: 50 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count, and give a generous serve).

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