Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Lamiales
Family: Verbenaceae
Genus: Verbena
Species: Verbena × hybrida Groenland & Rümpler
General / North America: Garden Verbena, Hybrid Verbena
United Kingdom / Ireland: Bedding Verbena
Horticulture Trade: Trailing Verbena, Annual Verbena (cultivar-dependent)
Verbena × hybrida is a low-growing, spreading ornamental perennial often cultivated as an annual in cooler climates. It forms dense mats or gently mounded clusters, with stems that trail or cascade depending on variety.
Plants branch freely, producing multiple flower clusters across the growing season.
Height: Typically 6–12 inches (15–30 cm)
Spread: 12–24 inches (30–60 cm), sometimes wider in trailing cultivars
Leaves are opposite, slightly rough-textured, and deeply lobed or toothed. The foliage is medium to dark green and forms a textured base beneath the flowers.
Flowers are produced in tight, rounded clusters (umbels). Each individual flower has five broad, slightly overlapping petals forming a flat face.
The specimen shown features clean white blooms with faint greenish centers, creating a crisp, uniform cluster. Verbena cultivars commonly appear in white, pink, red, purple, blue, or bicolor combinations.
Blooming is continuous from late spring through frost when properly maintained.
Hybrid garden verbenas are cultivated worldwide.
They are derived from South American Verbena species and are now common in ornamental beds, containers, hanging baskets, and pollinator gardens across temperate regions.
Full sun is required for best flowering performance.
Well-drained soil is essential. Verbenas dislike heavy, waterlogged conditions.
Moderate watering. Allow soil surface to dry slightly between waterings.
Typically grown as an annual in USDA Zones 3–8.
May persist as a short-lived perennial in Zones 9–11.
Most modern cultivars are propagated by cuttings to preserve flower color and growth habit.
Seeds may produce variable results and are less commonly used for named hybrids.
Common issues include:
Proper air circulation and full sun reduce disease pressure.
The white cultivar shown provides strong visual contrast in mixed plantings and pairs effectively with darker foliage or brightly colored companion flowers.
This profile is provided for educational use. Teachers, students, and gardeners are welcome to adapt and reuse with attribution.