How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Superbena®

Relatively new to the garden market, Superbenas^® bloom more than most other annual bedding plants. They fill the yard with white, purple, red, orange, pink, and multicolor blossoms in tight clusters. New types come out every few years that are vigorous, colorful, and hardy.

These varieties are hybrids bred for their mounding, spreading habit, and prolific blooms. They’ll fit perfectly between your sunflowers, zinnias, and petunias. Tuck them in alongside other plants, or give them their own space and see how large they can grow. 

Origin

Superbena® lacks a native area because it’s the product of many controlled crosses between various species. Breeders transferred pollen from one species to another. They then grew the resulting seeds into seedlings that were unique, new specimens. With many crosses over many years, the resulting specimens look quite different from their parents.

Though commonly referred to as verbenas, these hybrids, alongside other verbenas, were recently reclassified from the genus Verbena to Glandularia. Most hybrid verbenas result from crosses between these four species:

• Glandularia peruviana
• Glandularia phlogiflora
• Glandularia platensis
• Glandularia tweedieana

Superbena^® cultivars are licensed by the Proven Winners^® ornamental plant company—they control the sale and distribution of the many different varieties. As new types come out, old ones become difficult to find. If you see the type you like, grab it! You may not be able to find it again. 

Characteristics

With both mounding and trailing habits, these verbenas are variable in the way they grow. They’ll mound and spread along the ground like a ground cover, or they’ll spill over the edges of containers and raised beds. Their varied growth habits allow them to fit into many different spaces in the garden, whether they’re open, elevated, or narrow. 

Superbena^® grow toothed leaves that resemble catnip foliage. They’re bright green, providing a rich backdrop for the alluring blooms. They sprout from green stems that stay shorter than a foot tall. When trailing from baskets, the stems may reach two feet long with blooms and leaves along them. 

Though most gardeners use these hybrids as annual bedding plants, they’re perennials in USDA hardiness zones 8 through 11. They’re frost-tender, dying back as cold temperatures arrive in autumn and winter. 

Planting

You can’t grow Superbena^® from seeds, as they’re typically sold to licensed wholesale growers and distributors. Nurseries grow seeds into seedlings, or “plugs,” which they transplant into white containers and sell to big-box garden centers. Look for the Proven Winners^® white pots at your local plant store to find your favorite. 

Transplanting

Upon finding and purchasing your favorites from the garden center, you’ll start thinking about where to grow them in your garden. Choose an open site with four or more hours of direct sunlight and good airflow. Beds, borders, and meadow-style plantings are excellent options. 

A loam-type soil is best, though these tender perennials adapt well to slightly dense or free-draining soils. Prepare the site for planting by digging holes for each of the Superbena^® plants. Dig as deep and twice as wide as the rootballs, then place each plant inside. Cover the roots with the garden’s soil and water well to let the area settle. 

After planting, add a two to three-inch-thick layer of compost. This beneficial soil amendment will both fertilize and protect your Superbena^®, allowing them to perform for the rest of the growing season. 

Container Growing

These verbenas are superb candidates for container growing, especially in hanging baskets where their stems can trail down. They dislike cramped, small pots, though they’ll thrive in larger ones if their roots fit inside them. Give the roots some space to grow, and avoid cramping them in with many different annuals and perennials.

Choose a well-draining potting mix when growing Superbena^® in containers. Place some soil in the bottom and sides of the containers, then situate the transplants inside the pots. Cover their roots with soil, tap the pots to let it settle, then add more if it settles too low. Water the containers well before situating them where you can see the vibrant blooms. 

How to Grow

Adaptable and dependable, verbenas are more tolerant of drought, intense sunlight, and difficult growing conditions than other summer annuals. With some care and maintenance, they’ll thrive so long as the days are long, warm, and filled with sunshine. 

Light

Grant your specimens full sun or partial shade, with at least four hours of daily direct sunlight. They’ll thrive with continuous access to the sun, and they’ll struggle in excessively shady conditions.

The more light you can give Superbena^®, the more blooms they’ll produce. Watch for signs of too much shade, like legginess, weak stems, and few flowers. Transplant or move the plants as needed to keep them well-lit. 

Water

Superbena^® prefer soils with consistent moisture, though they’ll tolerate short droughts with sparse rainfall or irrigation. Check their soil every few days to see how moist it is. Use your finger, stabbing it under the surface to see how wet it is below.

If the dirt is wet under the surface, hold off on watering until it dries some more. Then, add plenty of water to thoroughly soak the potting medium. 

Soil

Well-draining, fertile loam is the best type of soil for these tender specimens, though they’ll manage in slightly sandy or clay and silt-heavy soils. They’ll fare well in most average garden soils. 

In sites with especially nutrient-poor, dry, or soggy soils, consider amending the surface with compost. Compost boosts the structure, porosity, and water-retentiveness of the dirt, creating a perfect home for probing plant roots. 

Fertilizing

Low-feeders, Superbena^® grow well with one to two applications of fertilizer during the growing season. Use an organic fertilizer, as it’ll break down slowly and feed the plants over time rather than all at once. A gradual source of nutrients is key to the development of the flower clusters. 

Instead of fertilizer, consider using compost. A single dose in spring is typically enough for these specimens, though they’ll appreciate an extra helping in the fall in mild climates. Add a layer two to three inches thick around the bases of the verbenas, then water well. 

Maintenance

No deadheading is necessary to keep these varieties blooming consistently. If they grow too leggy or sparse, you may trim them in early or midsummer to promote dense, bushy growth. A trimming will discourage flowers for a few weeks, but the results may be worth it in areas with long growing seasons.

Because these perennials are frost-tender, they’ll die when the first frost arrives. Overwinter them in containers indoors near a warm, sunny window, or root cuttings and plant them outside the next spring.

Propagation

These hybrids are unlikely to reseed themselves, making seed-growing a challenge. Instead, propagate them using cuttings or divisions. Propagation is legal for home use, but not for commercial distribution without a license. These asexual propagation methods are the most reliable, as they create clones with the same, desirable traits as the parents. 

Cuttings

Take six-inch cuttings of the stems and strip them of their blossoms and lower leaves. Stick the leafless portions into pots with moist potting soil, then place them in a humid location with partial shade. If humidity is low, consider adding a dome of plastic or glass that traps the humidity to encourage healthy rooting.

The cuttings will begin sprouting new leaves and shoots after they form sufficient roots. Remove their domes, then move the containers to a sunny location to let them acclimate to bright light. 

Not all cuttings will take—some may rot, wither, or wilt. Propagate many to ensure success, as the more cuttings you try to root, the higher your success rate will be. Overwinter successfully rooted cuttings near a sunny window or under grow lights until spring warmth arrives. 

Division

Division isn’t possible for all plants; it works on those that have many rooted stems. As the stems fall to the ground or when soil buries them, they may sprout adventitious roots and create a matted system. To divide such a plant, you’ll dig it out and separate it into multiple chunks with their own shoots and roots. 

To divide your Superbena^®, dig up a mature clump and take a good look at its rootball. Look to see which portions can grow into their own new plant, if given the chance. Use a sharp knife, pruners, or a spade to slice the plant into two, three, or four sections. 

Plant the divisions in containers or the ground, water their roots, then add compost on top. They’ll quickly mature into wide mounds full of glistening blossoms. 

Popular Varieties

A few different cultivars exist, offering the ultimate selection when it comes to flower color. Choose your favorite color, or select a mix of many different ones for a bold presentation in the garden. 

‘Violet Ice’

‘Violet Ice’ sprouts purple-lilac flowers in clusters along its stems. Not quite lavender, nor purple, the blossoms have violet hues. They look light under direct, midday sun, and dark and luxurious at dawn and dusk. 

Sometimes, ‘Violet Ice’ petals revert to different colors. You may see striped petals or pure white ones. Let them grow if you don’t mind the new colors, or cut them off at the stem to prevent them from sprouting again. 

‘Pink Shades’

This high-performer is another exceptional cultivar in the Superbena^® series. ‘Pink Shades’ grows soft, pink blossoms with a soft hint of magenta. They’re gorgeous alongside ‘Violet Ice,’ and they fill the space well when growing alone. 

‘Cherryburst’

Instead of solid-color blossoms, try a bi-color variety like ‘Cherryburst!’ You’ll love its peppermint-candy-like flowers. They have stripes of red-pink and white, creating a candy-like illusion. Stunning en masse, they’re especially attractive alongside dark-colored coleus and petunias.  

Like ‘Violet Ice,’ ‘Cherryburst’ flowers may revert over time to solid colored ones. Cut them off, or let them continue growing if you like the way they look.

Common Problems

Relatively pest-free, Superbena^® specimens grow well without attracting insects or diseases. Sometimes, they’ll suffer from powdery mildew, aphids, or root rot. Prevent these conditions by keeping your plants as healthy and vigorous as possible. 

Pests

Aphids are the main insect pests. Spray them off the leaves with a strong stream of water daily until they disappear completely. Watch for slugs and snails during wet weather, and trap them with beer or dough slurry traps. 

Pests disappear when predatory insects are abundant. These good insects eat the bag bugs, contributing to a thriving ecosystem. Attract them with a water source, wildflowers, and habitat space. 

Diseases

Root rot and powdery mildew are the two main afflictions of Superbena^® specimens. Though rare, these conditions may afflict unhealthy specimens in improper growing conditions. Prevent powdery mildew by growing in an open, sunny site, and discourage root rot by using well-drained soil. 

If root rot symptoms appear, like yellowing leaves and a lack of growth, take cuttings of the afflicted specimen to propagate it and try growing it again. Amend the site with compost, and water less frequently. 

If powdery mildew occurs, try mitigating the damage by cutting off infected portions. Use an organic fungicide, like potassium bicarbonate or a similar treatment, to prevent widespread infections from spreading. Follow the instructions on the label for proper applications and dosage rates.

Frequently Asked Questions