Taking Verbena Bonariensis cuttings

[BaleOfHay]

I love Verbena Bonariensis and would like to help it spread in my garden, so not just waiting for it to self seed. I intend to take a load of cuttings - do you find it more successful to try to start the cuttings in water or in soil?

I would go with soil. Here's a video of Monty Don showing you how.

www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-take-verbena-bonariensis-cuttings/

Oh good, it had never occurred to me you could take cuttings from these. Mine never seem to self seed, and most don't survive the winter here but cuttings May in the growhouse.

I'm all about the free plants! Thank you. Took some today- hard to find any stems without flowers - and will cross my fingers

I did a cutting in water recently (? 2-3 months-ish ago?) but it took an awfully long time. I was just about to give it up as a bad job when it finally put out roots. It's still a fairly pathetic specimen, even now.

would like to help it spread in my garden
Mine never seem to self seed
I saw a video the other day which said that you can't rely on VB to gradually spread itself about; it needs an initial 'critical mass' to really get going.

Wow, mine has self seeded all over the place. It comes up through my bloody lawn if I don't keep on top of the mowing. Goes to show that it really depends on the conditions for it!

I'm the same - it self-seeds everywhere!! To the extent it's almost a weed. But it was a big chunk of verbena in the beginning so maybe there's something in ensuring it's established.

I think I would go for soil though, in answer to your question.

Hm, I wonder if it'd be worth me digging up the few plants that have reappeared this year and keeping them a bit warmer undercover over winter?

Where are you? It self-seeds like mad in my garden and I’d be very happy to dig you some up if you are near Chester!

Ha! I'm in Warwickshire. It self seeds in cracks in the patio but not in my beds.... typical.

I am seeing this plant everywhere this year - my neighbour generously gave me a few plants - I'm having second thoughts about planting it - I don't want it self-seeding all over the place.

A couple of years ago I cut off a dried up flower head and literally scrunched it in my hand over a seed tray with multi purpose compost. Couple of weeks later loads had germinated. I pricked out literally dozens and gave loads away.

Lancashire. My borders are pretty crowded, it might be competition rather than climate I suppose.

The easiest type are layered cuttings, you bend down the tip of a shoot and peg it to the soil. I use 1/2 bricks to weight them down. Wait 2 years before cutting the new plant from the parent.

You can also grow to flower same year from seeds really inexpensively (eg stocks and green have seeds for 49p at the moment) - sow in the spring and flower same year. Consistent success if you start them indoors on a windowsill or I also do mine in my unheated greenhouse.

@Thelnebriati - 2 years?! You are more patient than I am!

I took some cuttings in soil yesterday and will experiment with seeds too.

I grew my current VBs from seed the year before last but this year none germinated.

Chance would be a fine thing. One summer, great. Never to return. Repeat.

I spend my life pulling up self- seeded VB, aquilegias and snapdragons. Of course they never self seed in a convenient place. They also don’t replant successfully for me.

Mine self seeds everywhere. Cracks in paving and flower beds. I weed them out but occasionally pot some up to give to DS for his garden.

I do get aquilegias. Not snapdragons, because they get deadheaded.

Where are you OP? I could send you a couple of hundred seedlings, it’s going mad in my garden.