Verbena (Verbena 'Imagination')

Overview

Verbena ‘Imagination’ is a highly valued cultivar prized for its spectacular, non-stop display of deep violet-blue flowers that last from late spring until the first hard frost. This trailing Verbena establishes swiftly, becoming a beautiful flowering ground cover or spilling elegantly over edges in the garden. Its spreading habit and deeply cut foliage provide excellent texture, making it a standout where constant color is needed.

This plant is celebrated for its resilience, handling significant summer heat and periods of dryness once established, demanding relatively low maintenance from the gardener. As a hybrid, Verbena ‘Imagination’ is often grown as a vivid annual in cooler regions, though it is winter hardy in USDA zones 9 and 10, allowing for perennial use where conditions permit.

Gardeners rely on Verbena ‘Imagination’ to attract essential pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds to beds, rock gardens, and mixed containers. Its vigorous growth ensures that color fills in rapidly, providing reliable performance throughout the hottest parts of the season compared to less heat-tolerant alternatives.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Verbenaceae
• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 9-10
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 0.75-1 ft
  • Spread: 1-2 ft
• Bloom Time: May to frost
• Bloom Description: Violet-blue
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Water Needs: Medium
• Maintenance Level: Low

How to Grow

For optimal performance, plant Verbena ‘Imagination’ in a location that receives full sun, although it can tolerate very light shade, which may slightly reduce flowering intensity. It thrives in average, well-draining soils with medium moisture levels. If you are starting from seed, begin indoors about 8 to 10 weeks before your area’s average last frost date. In regions like St. Louis where it is treated as an annual, transplant seedlings outdoors only after the danger of frost has passed in the spring.

Watering should be consistent, aiming for medium moisture, but always avoid overhead watering when possible to help mitigate potential fungal issues. Verbena ‘Imagination’ sports excellent heat and drought tolerance once established, rewarding thoughtful placement in hot spots. Minimal supplemental feeding is usually necessary for this reliable performer.

Maintenance is generally low. Deadheading is rarely required as this cultivar is known for its prolific, self-cleaning bloom habit. In regions where it is perennial (Zones 9-10), simply clean up the plant in early spring as new growth begins to emerge.

Landscape Uses

Verbena ‘Imagination’ excels as an annual ground cover, quickly blanketing the soil with its dense, flowering mat that spreads between 1 and 2 feet. It is perfectly suited for edging pathways or softening the sharp lines of rock gardens. Utilize its trailing nature in hanging baskets, window boxes, or mixed containers where it can cascade beautifully over the sides.

As a versatile bedding plant, Verbena ‘Imagination’ pairs well with upright, sun-loving companions that share similar soil and water needs, such as low-growing salvias, calibrachoa, or zinnias. Its rich violet-blue offers fantastic contrast against silver foliage plants or bright yellow flowers.

Whether used to fill gaps between pavers or simply planted en masse for a river of color, the ease of growing Verbena ‘Imagination’ makes it a favorite for high-impact, low-effort displays across borders and mass plantings.

Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Showy

Noteworthy Characteristics

Verbena is a genus of about 250 species of annuals, perennials and subshrubs from temperate and tropical areas of the Americas with a few from Southern Europe. They are grown for their showy flowers that are attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators. Genus name comes from a Latin name used for some plants in religious ceremonies and also in medicine. ‘Imagination’ is a verbena cultivar that is grown in St. Louis as an annual. It is noted for its profuse bloom of violet-blue flowers, its spreading-trailing stems and its deeply cut foliage. When grown as an annual, it flowers freely from late spring to fall. Violet-blue flowers in umbels (2” diameter) appear throughout summer. Although a hybrid plant, ‘Imagination’ is often commonly called moss verbena because of its similarity to Verbena tenuisecta.

Tolerances

• Drought

Potential Problems

Verbena ‘Imagination’ is generally considered free from serious insect or disease problems when grown in appropriate conditions. The most common cultural problem to monitor is ensuring good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering, which can predispose the plant to fungal diseases like powdery mildew, especially in humid environments. Should pests like spider mites appear during extreme heat, a strong jet of water or insecticidal soap applied carefully to the foliage can manage the population.

If you notice reduced vigor, check the roots, as Verbena generally dislikes being waterlogged; ensuring soil drainage is sharp is the best preventative measure against root rot. By adhering to full sun exposure and providing adequate space for air movement around the spreading stems of this Verbena, gardeners can maintain a healthy, vibrant display.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Verbena ‘Imagination’ suitable for?

Verbena ‘Imagination’ is reliably winter hardy in USDA Zones 9 through 10, but should be planted as an annual in colder areas.

How large does Verbena ‘Imagination’ grow?

This cultivar typically reaches a height between 0.75 and 1 foot tall, spreading out to cover an area 1 to 2 feet wide.

What sun exposure does Verbena ‘Imagination’ need?

It requires full sun for the best blooming performance, though it can tolerate very light, partial shade.

When does Verbena ‘Imagination’ bloom?

This beautiful Verbena blooms profusely starting in May and continues its display of violet-blue flowers until the first frost arrives.

Conclusion

The continuous flowering, spreading habit, and excellent drought tolerance cement Verbena ‘Imagination’ as an indispensable annual or low-maintenance perennial for sunny gardens. Few plants offer such a reliably generous, vibrant display of violet-blue color throughout the entire growing season. Before planting, confirm your local USDA Zone compatibility, and ensure you site your new Verbena where it can bask in full sunlight for maximum impact.

Companion Planting

Selecting companions for Verbena allows you to maximize visual interest while maintaining similar horticultural needs. Plants that enjoy hot, dry conditions and perform well in full sun are ideal partners. Consider pairing the low-growing, trailing habit of Verbena ‘Imagination’ with upright, structural plants like Salvia nemorosa varieties, which offer contrasting dark purple spikes.

For cascading effects in containers or the front edge of a border, try mixing in silvery foliage plants such as Dichondra argentea ‘Silver Falls.’ These companions complement the deeply cut leaves of the Verbena and provide textural relief against the continuous carpet of violet-blue blooms.

Ensure that primary companion plants, such as calibrachoa or petunias, also prefer medium water needs and do not require frequent heavy irrigation, as overly wet conditions can quickly diminish the health of the Verbena roots.

Wildlife Benefits

The showy flowers of the genus Verbena are highly attractive magnets for local wildlife, and Verbena ‘Imagination’ is no exception. Its dense clusters of nectar-rich blossoms provide a crucial food source for many beneficial insects throughout the summer months.

Specifically, this plant is renowned for drawing in numerous species of butterflies, making it an excellent addition to any dedicated pollinator garden area. Hummingbirds are also frequently observed feeding from the intense violet-blue flower heads.

By planting Verbena ‘Imagination’ en masse, gardeners create a highly visible landing pad for these important pollinators, significantly boosting biodiversity in the landscape while enjoying the resulting beauty.