Moss Verbena Glandularia 'Sissinghurst'
ABOUT
The Glandularia 'Sissinghurst' is a vibrant and showy plant known for its rich flowering habit. It is characterized by clusters of small tubular flowers that form dense, rounded heads. These flowers exhibit a deep, intense pink color with a velvety texture that gives them a luscious appearance. The plant itself has a sprawling nature, with stems that stretch outwards and carry the flower heads elegantly above the foliage. The leaves of the 'Sissinghurst' are dark green, soft, and slightly hairy with a quilted texture. They are finely cut, giving them a delicate and fern-like appearance which contrasts beautifully with the boldness of the flowers. The overall impression of the Glandularia 'Sissinghurst' is one of abundance and color, creating a striking visual impact in any garden setting where it spreads its vivid blossoms.
About this plant
- Names
Family
Verbenaceae.
Synonyms
Garden Verbena, Sissinghurst.
Common names
Glandularia 'Sissinghurst'.
- Toxicity
To humans
There is limited information specifically on the toxicity of Glandularia 'Sissinghurst', commonly known as garden verbena, to humans. Garden verbena is not typically listed as a poisonous plant and is generally considered non-toxic if touched or ingested in small amounts. However, as with any plant, individual allergies can vary, and it is possible that some people might experience slight gastrointestinal discomfort or an allergic reaction if they ingest parts of the plant. Always exercise caution and avoid ingesting plants that are not known to be edible.
To pets
Garden verbena is not well-documented for its toxicity to pets, but it is generally not listed among the common poisonous plants to pets such as dogs and cats. This suggests that if a pet ingests a small amount of garden verbena, it is not expected to result in significant toxicity. However, ingestion of any non-food plant material can lead to gastrointestinal upset in pets, so watching for symptoms of discomfort like vomiting or diarrhea might be necessary, and keeping plants out of reach of pets is always a good precaution.
- Characteristics
Life cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Purple
Height
1 foot (0.3 meters)
Spread
2 feet (0.6 meters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
7
Native area
Americas
Benefits
- General Benefits
- Aesthetic Appeal: Adds vibrant color and texture to gardens with its striking blooms.
- Attracts Wildlife: Draws in pollinators such as butterflies and hummingbirds, promoting biodiversity.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care once established, making it ideal for busy gardeners.
- Drought Tolerance: Can survive in dry conditions, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Rapid Growth: Quickly fills in garden spaces, providing fast coverage and gratification.
- Versatility: Suitable for a variety of garden designs, including borders, containers, and hanging baskets.
- Long Blooming: Offers a long season of flowers, often from spring to frost.
- Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
- Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
- Other Uses
- Glandularia 'Sissinghurst', commonly known as Verbena, can be used as a natural dye for fabrics, infusing them with subtle shades of color depending on the concentration of the infusion made from its flowers.
- As an educational tool, Verbena can be part of plant biology studies due to its interesting flower structure and reproductive mechanisms, aiding in teaching pollination and plant anatomy.
- Verbena's pleasant fragrance makes it a suitable candidate for creating potpourris, which can be placed around the home for a natural and refreshing scent.
- Verbena flowers can be incorporated into handmade paper, adding a touch of nature and aesthetics to the final product, ideal for craft enthusiasts.
- In artistic endeavors, dried Verbena blooms can be used in floral arrangements or pressed flower artwork, providing a vibrant, lasting embellishment.
- The plant can be used as a natural insect repellent in gardens due to its scent, which is not favored by some pests, subtly protecting nearby plants without using chemicals.
- Verbena can be a source of nectar for domesticated bees in apiary practices, playing a role in supporting the health of bee colonies and the production of honey.
- In culinary arts, Verbena flowers can be crystallized with sugar and used as a decorative and edible garnish for desserts, adding a floral touch to sweets.
- Verbena can be cast into candles or wax melts, infusing them with its scent for a botanical-themed line of home fragrances.
- For photography and film, the bright Verbena blooms can serve as a vibrant natural backdrop or prop in shoots focused on nature and gardens.
Interesting Facts
- Feng Shui
The plant Veronica is not used in Feng Shui practice.
- Zodiac Sign Compitability
The plant Veronica is not used in astrology practice.
- Plant Symbolism
- Endurance: The Glandularia or Verbena is renowned for its resilience and ability to thrive in various conditions, symbolizing the ability to endure challenges and persist.
- Healing: Historically, Verbena has been associated with healing properties, representing restoration and the power to heal physical or emotional wounds.
- Protection: Verbena is often used in folklore and tradition for protective measures, symbolizing safeguarding against harm and warding off evil.
- Harmony: The plant is also seen as a symbol of peace and harmony, embodying the balance and tranquility found in nature.
- Spirituality: Due to its use in various religious and spiritual practices, Verbena can represent spiritual enlightenment, deep faith, or a connection to the divine.
- Water
Verbena, commonly known as Glandularia 'Sissinghurst', prefers consistent moisture but doesn’t do well in overly wet conditions. Water the plant deeply once a week, providing about one inch of water, which could roughly translate to 0.6 gallons per square yard, depending on the soil and weather conditions. During the hot summer months, the frequency may need to increase to twice a week. Always check the top inch of soil before watering; if it's dry, it's a good indication that the plant needs water. Make sure the water penetrates the soil deeply to encourage root growth, and avoid overhead watering to prevent diseases.
- Light
Verbena thrives in full sun, requiring at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day. Place the plant where it will receive abundant sunshine, as strong light is critical for robust growth and optimal flowering. While it can tolerate some partial shade, flowering may be reduced in less than ideal light conditions.
- Temperature
Verbena favors warm temperatures and will thrive in conditions that range from 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. It can tolerate a minimum temperature of about 20 degrees Fahrenheit but is vulnerable to frost. Providing a location that stays within these temperature ranges will ensure healthy growth and flowering.
- Pruning
Verbena benefits from regular pruning to encourage bushy growth and continuous blooming. Deadheading spent flowers promotes new blooms and prevents the plant from putting energy into seed production. The best time to prune is in early spring or after the first flush of flowers starts to fade. Cut back about one-fourth of the plant's height to maintain its shape and vigor.
- Cleaning
As needed
- Soil
Glandularia, commonly known as Verbena, thrives in light, well-draining soil enriched with organic matter, and it prefers a slightly acidic to neutral pH of about 6.0 to 7.0. A good soil mix can be made with equal parts potting soil, peat moss, and perlite or sand to ensure adequate drainage.
- Repotting
Verbena should be repotted every 1-2 years or when it becomes root-bound. Choose a container that is slightly larger than the previous one to allow for growth.
- Humidity & Misting
Verbena prefers moderate humidity levels but is adaptable and can tolerate the varying humidity levels found in most homes.
- Suitable locations
Indoor
Place in bright, indirect light and water regularly.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun and well-draining soil.
- Life cycle
The Glandularia 'Sissinghurst', commonly known as Sissinghurst Verbena, begins its life cycle when its seeds germinate in warm soil, usually in late spring or early summer. Once the seedlings establish themselves, they enter a period of rapid vegetative growth, developing a mound of dark green, dissected foliage. Throughout the growing season, typically from late spring to the first frost, Sissinghurst Verbena produces numerous clusters of small, tubular flowers, which can be pink, purple, or white, attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies. After pollination, the flowers develop into small, non-showy fruits containing seeds that can be dispersed to propagate new plants. As a perennial in warmer climates or an annual in cooler regions, the plant may die back after flowering if conditions become too cold or may enter a period of dormancy in milder climates. If the plant survives the winter or is grown in a climate-controlled environment, it will regenerate in the spring, repeating the flowering process and continuing its life cycle.
- Propogation
Propogation time
Spring to early summer
The Glandularia 'Sissinghurst', commonly known as Sissinghurst Verbena, is a popular garden plant s and its propagation is most effective during the active growing season, which typically ranges from spring to early summer. The most popular method of propagation for this plant is through stem cuttings. To do this, a healthy, non-flowering shoot is selected and a section of stem about 4 to 6 inches (approximately 10 to 15 centimeters) long is cut with a sharp, clean tool. The lower leaves are then removed and the cut end is dipped in rooting hormone to promote root development. This cutting is then placed in a well-draining soil mix and kept moist but not saturated. It is important to maintain a stable environment with high humidity and ample indirect light to encourage rooting, which generally takes a few weeks. Once the cuttings have established a healthy root system, they can be transplanted into the garden or individual pots for further growth.