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Verbena Bonarskaya is an elegant garden decoration. Its small, weightless flowers seem to float in the air, exuding a delicate aroma. This unusual type of verbena successfully fits into various styles of garden plot design. It looks equally good in single and group plantings.
Verbena "Buenos Aires" begins to bloom in early July until late autumn
Description of Bonar verbena
"Bonar" or "Buenos Aires" verbena is very different from other representatives of its genus. First of all, it is distinguished by small purple flowers collected in umbrella-shaped inflorescences. They decorate the plant from spring or early summer until frost, without changing its appearance and emitting a delicate aroma. The height of the Bonarskaya verbena, depending on the variety, ranges from 60-120 cm. A strong and thin upright trunk forms an umbrella of peduncles in the upper part.
The second name of verbena “Bonarskaya” comes from a city in South America - Buenos Aires. It is in this warm and sunny climate that the culture is accustomed to living. This perennial plant in the middle zone is grown as an annual, as it dies during severe winter frosts. However, the crop can easily tolerate relatively minor cold snaps, so it decorates the area until late autumn.
Varieties of bonar verbena
Verbena "Bonarskaya" is represented by varieties that differ in color shades, trunk height and other biological characteristics.
The most popular of them are:
- Little one - the variety of perennial verbena "Bonarskaya" is characterized by its small growth - up to 60 cm. Pink-violet inflorescences form on powerful trunks. The plant blooms from spring to autumn and does not produce seeds. Excellent for front and middle curbs.
- Finesse - the bush reaches 90 cm in height. Lush purple inflorescences appear in summer and wither with the first frost. The plant looks great when planted en masse in rows, as well as in combination with other ornamental crops. The variety is capable of self-sowing.
- Purple Rain - the base reaches a height of 120 cm, the branches are decorated with balls of small purple flowers from late June to autumn. In a flower garden it plays the role of a background, an element of a combination or a dominant plant.
Application in landscape design
An undeniable advantage of Bonarskaya verbena is its long flowering. It lasts throughout the summer, so there is no need to select a replacement plant in the created composition. Evenly distributing Bonarskaya verbena throughout the flower garden will emphasize the beauty of large flowering plants. It harmonizes with plants that are contrasting and similar in color.
Dense monoplanting of the crop becomes the dominant element of the composition. It goes well with tall grasses from the cereal family and many perennials. The beauty and tenderness of Bonarskaya verbena is favorably emphasized by a background of coniferous plants. It is often used to make a border strip. The crop looks impressive as a frame for garden paths.
Features of reproduction
Gardeners practice three methods of propagating verbena:
- Seeds in open ground. This approach is ineffective due to poor seed germination and late onset of flowering.
- Cuttings. In the fall, several bushes are dug up and moved to a cool room, and in early spring they begin to reproduce.
- Growing seedlings. The easiest and most effective way to propagate verbena.
Growing bonar verbena from seeds
Verbena seeds "Bonarskaya" have low germination, so sowing in open ground is rarely practiced. Growing seedlings is the best option for propagating a crop. Firstly, it makes it possible to create the most suitable conditions for seed germination and the formation of healthy stems. Secondly, the exact number of sprouts obtained becomes known in advance.
To obtain strong and healthy seedlings, you need to pay special attention to the following points:
- sowing dates;
- capacity;
- priming;
- landing algorithm;
- seedling care.
Sowing time
About 2 months pass from the moment the seeds of Bonarskaya verbena are sown until the long-awaited purple inflorescences appear on it. Based on this, the optimal date for starting to grow seedlings is calculated.In the middle zone it is better to sow seeds in mid-March, in the northern regions - in the first half of April.
Given the poor germination of verbena, many gardeners sow the seeds in two passes. Already one or two weeks after the first March planting, young shoots appear. The missing amount of seedlings is obtained by re-sowing the seeds.
Preparing the container and soil
To grow Bonarskaya verbena seedlings, it is convenient to use wide plastic containers. It is necessary to prepare a bag in advance that can cover its entire surface.
Seeds are sown in purchased soil for seedlings or disinfected garden soil. You can add sand, vermiculite or humus to your homemade substrate. A two-component mixture consisting of peat and sand is also suitable.
Verbena prefers light and fertile soil
Landing rules
Bonar verbena seeds should be prepared before planting. To do this, they are laid out on gauze or cotton wool moistened with warm water or a stimulating solution. Cover the top with plastic wrap. After 2-3 days they begin sowing.
Algorithm for planting seeds:
- Level the soil surface and moisten it with water or a growth stimulator solution.
- Distribute the seeds evenly with your hands or tweezers.
- Cover the container with a plastic bag.
Growing Buenos Aires verbena seedlings
Before sprouts appear, the following recommendations must be applied:
- Maintain the temperature within 18-25 oC.
- Water with a sprayer after the top layer of soil has completely dried.
- Regularly ventilate the greenhouse and remove condensation.
As soon as young shoots appear, they need to be provided with good lighting. After the formation of 3-4 leaves, they are planted in small separate containers. After two weeks, water with a solution of mineral fertilizer. Then the top is trimmed to enhance branching.
Growing verbena bonarensis in open ground
In order for Buenos Aires verbena to look as attractive as in the photo from the seed package, a number of conditions must be met. It requires a sunny area. As a last resort, partial shade is acceptable. The soil should be light and nutritious. In many cases, gardeners have to add sand to it.
Planting in open ground is usually carried out in May. The exact date is set depending on the region and weather in the current year. At this moment there should be a stable above-zero temperature and minimal risk of return frosts.
Transplanting seedlings
Planting of Bonarskaya verbena seedlings is carried out according to the following rules:
- the earthen lump must be preserved;
- the distance between neighboring plants is 20-30 cm;
- At the bottom of each hole you need to make a drainage layer.
Stagnant water is detrimental to verbena, so sand or expanded clay is poured into the bottom of the holes. After planting, the seedlings are watered. The top of the soil can be sprinkled with sand, sawdust or pine needles.
Watering and fertilizing
The sun quickly dries out the soil in which Bonarskaya verbena grows, so you need to carefully monitor soil moisture. The crop needs the most abundant watering during the period of budding and flowering. In the fall it should be reduced. Water should not be allowed to stagnate at the roots.
The plant does not need frequent feeding. It is enough to apply organic or mineral fertilizer 2-3 times a year.It is better to combine this event with watering. If you oversaturate verbena with nutrients, all its energy will be spent on growing green mass, and flowering will be poor.
During the flowering period, verbena "Bonarskaya" needs increased watering
Loosening, weeding, mulching
The first weeks after planting the seedlings, the soil will have to be frequently weeded and loosened. Later, when the Bonarskaya verbena bushes grow, these activities can be stopped. The dense branches and branched roots of the plant will prevent weeds from breaking through. This can be facilitated by mulch, which is used as shavings, sawdust or pine needles.
Wintering
Perennial Verbena "Bonarskaya" has become an annual crop in the middle zone and northern regions. The minimum temperature it can withstand is -3 °C. It does not tolerate winter frosts even with the most powerful shelter. Therefore, in October, verbena is removed from the site.
If a gardener plans to propagate verbena by cuttings in the spring, he should dig up several bushes in the fall. Until March they must be kept in a cool room. Seeds are collected for sowing at the end of the season. The ripened capsules are dried and then the seeds are removed.
Pests and diseases
Verbena resists diseases well. But in warm rainy periods it is threatened by fungal diseases: powdery mildew and various rots. Affected areas should be removed immediately and the remaining parts of the plant treated with an appropriate fungicide. Basic measures to prevent diseases:
- moderate watering;
- removing faded inflorescences;
- weed removal.
Verbena "Bonarskaya" can become a victim of two types of pests: leaf miners and aphids.They gradually destroy the leaves of the plant. For prevention, they are regularly inspected and sprayed with special preparations.
Conclusion
Verbena Bonarskaya is a light-loving and heat-loving plant. Its weightless lilac inflorescences look ideal in dense group plantings and perfectly complement various flower beds. When the crop is grown in suitable conditions, it will delight you with strong stems and an abundance of delicate flowers until the first autumn frosts.
