IN THE YARD: Verbena

Photo provided by LSU AgCenterHomestead verbena isn't as colorful as newer hybrids, but it's a reliable, short-term perennial, meaning it's good for three or four years, and attracts butterlies to Louisiana gardens.

An old Louisiana Select plant, Homestead Purple, popular in the 1990s, is still a favorite verbena in Louisiana gardens.

Homestead Purple may no longer be the most popular verbena, but it’s readily available in Louisiana, say LSU AgCenter horticulturists.

Other varieties of verbena have expanded the flower color range, the horticulturists say.

“The Aztec series is popular as are Wildfire, Magalena and Lanai,” said horticulturist Allen Owings.

Verbenas come in a range of colors from light blushes and pinks to dark reds, blues and purples.

Perennial verbenas flower best from late winter through spring and, then, from late summer through fall.

Though not “forever perennials,” perennial verbenas may last three or four years, horticulturists say. Verbenas are good butterfly attracters.

The AgCenter hopes to make available a “found” bicolor verbena discovered by retired AgCenter horticulture agent Carlos Smith in Central Louisiana. Look for the Carlos Smith verbena in the next couple of years.

Burden Center Arbor Day

Grandparents, parents and children on Jan. 21 planted 300 native trees along Trees and Trails, Burden’s educational hiking path. For more information on Trees and Trails, go to http://www.treesandtrails.com/.

Ed Cullen

Advocate staff writer