Superbena Imperial Blue verbena quenches your thirst for this treasured color
1 Norman Winter
Tribune News Service No color stirs the passion in serious gardeners like blue. Sure, we like orange, yellow, red and pink, but blue is the must-have color for mixed containers and baskets. It is like having sapphires in our pocket plantings by the front entrance to the home. It is for this reason The Garden Guy was eager to put Superbena Imperial Blue verbena to the test. Not only did I parse out my supply of Imperial Blue to various baskets and containers, but I gave some to my son, James, the guru of all things color, in the commercial landscape. As usual, he beat me like a drum in design, but I’m used to it. Superbena Imperial Blue will arrive at your garden center in spring 2022. So put on your stealth camo and be ready. I expect (as usual) there will not be enough to go around for all who want this new verbena. There is a reason it is called Imperial. It is nothing short of intense in color. It’s the blue that makes your heart race. If you have not tried Superbena verbenas, you
need to get on the train. I am in my third year with Superbena Stormburst, and the best white on the planet, Superbena Whiteout. Despite all the other butterfly plants I have in my garden, the Superbenas seem to always be attracting attention — not just from butterflies, but hummingbirds, too. Like most of the other Superbenas, Superbena Imperial Blue will get 5 to 12 inches tall with a spread of 30 inches. They need fertile, well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight to reach their true performance potential. For the most part, Superbenas are considered an annual, one certainly of exceptional value. I live in zone 8a, and in my zone and warmer we may just get them to return in the spring, which prompts a breakout of the perennial happy dance. The caveat is good soil drainage. James and I also believe in cutting the verbena back periodically to keep rejuvenating growth and new blooms coming. It also helps to minimize chances for spider mite infestations. In my baskets and containers I partnered Superbena Imperial Blue verbena with other new plants
2 1: In this large hanging basket, Superbena Imperial Blue verbena is combined with Boldly Coral geranium and Supertunia Vista Jazzberry petunia also debuting in 2022. Photos courtesy of Norman Winter/TNS
2: The treasured pipevine swallowtail is seen feeding on the Superbena Imperial Blue verbena.
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SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS REAL ESTATE
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2021
superbena ImperIal blue
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