Verbena ‘Empress® Flair Cherry Charme’: A Comprehensive Guide
Verbena ‘Empress® Flair Cherry Charme‘, also known as Vervain, is a vibrant and attractive flowering plant belonging to the family Verbenaceae. This family includes a variety of herbaceous plants, shrubs, and trees, many of which are popular in gardens for their beautiful and often fragrant flowers. The ‘Empress® Flair series, bred by Dummen Orange, is known for its vigorous growth and striking flower displays.
Description
Verbena ‘Empress® Flair Cherry Charme’ is an herbaceous perennial characterized by its trailing habit and large, showy clusters of cherry red star-shaped flowers with white centers. These blooms are present from late spring to mid-fall, providing a long season of color. The plant features tiny tomentose (covered with fine, soft hairs) and narrow leaves that remain green throughout the season. With a height of 8-12 inches and a spread of 12-18 inches, this verbena is ideal for filling or spilling over the edges of hanging baskets and containers, making it a versatile addition to various landscape applications.
Ornamental Features
- Flower Color: Cherry red with white centers
- Foliage Color: Dark green
- Bloom Time: Late spring to mid-fall
- Habit: Trailing, semi-upright, medium-compact
- Height: 8-12 inches
- Spread: 12-18 inches
- Flower Characteristics: Excellent for cutting, showy clusters
Landscape Attributes
Verbena ‘Empress® Flair Cherry Charme’ is prized for its ornamental features and low maintenance requirements. It is a robust plant that brings fine and delicate texture to garden compositions. It is particularly effective in mass plantings, border edging, general garden use, container planting, and hanging baskets. The plant’s trailing habit makes it ideal as a ‘spiller’ in container combinations, adding a graceful spill of color over the edges.
Care Instructions
- Sunlight: Requires full sun for best performance.
- Water: Prefers average to evenly moist conditions but cannot tolerate standing water. Regular watering is necessary, especially for container plants.
- Soil: Not particular about soil type or pH, but good drainage is essential. Thrives in average garden soil.
- Fertilization: Feed every two weeks during the growing season to encourage continuous blooming.
- Maintenance: Remove faded flower heads to promote new blooms. Pruning is minimal but can be done to maintain shape and encourage bushiness.
- Hardiness Zone: 8b
- Tolerance: Highly tolerant of urban pollution and environmental salt. Deer-resistant and attracts butterflies.
Propagation
Verbena ‘Empress® Flair Cherry Charme’ can be propagated by cuttings. As an interspecific hybrid, it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation. Here are the general steps for propagation:
- Cuttings: Take 3-4 inch cuttings from healthy, non-flowering stems.
- Preparation: Remove the lower leaves and dip the cut end in the rooting hormone.
- Planting: Insert the cuttings into a well-draining potting mix, keeping the soil moist.
- Environment: Place the cuttings in a bright, indirect light location with high humidity.
- Root Development: Roots should develop in a few weeks. Once well-rooted, transplant into individual pots or the garden.
Additional Notes
Verbena ‘Empress® Flair Cherry Charme’ is a versatile and resilient plant, making it a great choice for gardeners looking to add a splash of color with minimal effort. Its ability to thrive in various environmental conditions and its long blooming period make it an exceptional choice for both novice and experienced gardeners. Regular deadheading and appropriate watering will ensure that this vibrant verbena remains a standout feature in any garden or container display.