The Verbena – The Insect Superstar Among Plants

Verbena has become one of the absolute classics among balcony flowers. Alongside geraniums and others, this plant with its colorful blooms not only makes a great impression on balconies.

Verbena is especially well-suited for planting in containers, troughs, and balcony boxes, with the trailing varieties being perfect for hanging baskets.

Verbena belongs to the verbena family, which is why the plant is often simply referred to as "ironweed." Originally native to South America, verbena has since spread across the globe. In ancient times, the true ironweed, a wild species native to Europe, was famous and infamous as a medicinal plant. It was considered a plant of birth magic and a remedy for injuries. The verbenas available today are hybrids with a long history of breeding and crossbreeding.

There are various types of verbenas, which differ not only in flower color but also in growth habits. Verbenas are annual plants, with some varieties growing upright while others spread along the ground. Depending on the variety, verbenas can grow to different heights. The classic pot verbenas typically reach a height between 15 and 30 centimeters. However, all verbenas share one common feature: their stems are square-shaped.

Verbenas are particularly popular with insects. The plant exudes a slightly spicy scent, attracting many butterflies. The color of the flowers is also important, as the deep violet blooms of the verbena attract butterflies, bees, and other pollinators, offering a rich nectar supply. Butterflies use the verbena flowers to stock up on nectar before winter, helping them prepare for the cold season. Therefore, a verbena should not be missing from a perennial garden, as the various butterfly species bring even more color to the garden.