Herb Of The Cross
Verbena officinalis
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Australia, Austria, Baleares, Baltic States, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Burundi, China, Corse, Cyprus, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, DR Congo, East Aegean Is., Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Greece, Hainan, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Jawa, Kenya, Kirgizstan, Korea, Kriti, Krym, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Myanmar, Nansei-shoto, Nepal, Netherlands, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Sardegna, Sicilia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sudan-South Sudan, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Western Sahara, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Helge Klaus Rieder
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Verbenaceae
- Genus:
- Verbena
- Species:
- Verbena officinalis
- USDA Symbol:
- VEOF
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, purple, lavender
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, moderately fertile soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–28 days
- Notes:
- Light enhances germination; surface sow or barely cover seeds.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Expose to fluctuating outdoor winter temps incl. freezing for 3 months. Increase light/temp in spring.