Expert: C.L. Fornari - 4/22/2007

Question
What fertilzer do yall use? How much water? Does it need sun? When the blooms fade away, Do you cut for more added blooms? Hfar do you cut?  

Answer
I am assuming that you are planting the creeping, or cascading verbena, not the upright, yes?  The upright verbena are usually heartbreak plants - they don't bloom all summer, and are prone to mildew and death.  The creeping varieties, however, are great plants.  If you haven't planted them yet mix in a combination of an organic fertilizer (Planttone or other) and a time-release product such as Osmocote Indoor Outdoor.  If you've already planted them, scatter some Osmocote Indoor/outdoor around the plants OR fertilize every two weeks with a liquid such as Peters 20-20-20 (all purpose plant food) - just avoid any fertilizer where the middle number on the package is more than twice the other numbers....you want the nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium levels to be closer to equal.  

Deadhead the spent flowers by clipping just below the faded flower....this is easiest when you do it once a week so that you can clearly see the difference between a wilting flower/seed pods and the new buds.  (if you let it go too long you might have touble telling the difference...I know it often confuses me!)  

I hope this helps!
C.L.
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