Forum home Plants

Dividing Verbena b

peteSpeteS Posts: 882
Is it possible to divide a small clump of Verbena bonariensis. I have several small clumps now, they'll be about 3 years old. So it would be handy if they do split so I could have several more plants. Cheers.

Posts

  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    It might be difficult to  divide that clump without damage. Mine seed themselves all over the place and babies are easy to move. I'd wait a bit and look for seedlings.
  • peteSpeteS Posts: 882
    @Posy...I often hear about how they are prolific self-seeders, but in the 3-4 years I've been growing them, I have never had a single self-sown seedling.
  • KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,756
    The normally branch from a single stem, I think they'd be hard to divide.  Probably better to wait until they form new shoots in the Spring, and then do some cuttings.  They take readily.  
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,048
    edited March 2021
    Wait until it's starting into growth with buds, then lift and cut it into sections or pull off (brutally!) bits of stem. You want bits of stem with signs of growth, attached to bits of root. Basically this is what is politically incorrectly called 'Irishman's cuttings'. A bit easier and quicker than stem cuttings. Pot on and give a bit of TLC to start with. Although... you could probably get away with planting larger segments straight out.
  • debs64debs64 Posts: 4,724
    I literally just chop bits off and put them in a jar of water and they grow roots within days. Easiest thing in the world! 
  • Yeah cuttings are easy with this excellent plant. I tend to take side shoots and they almost root as you put them near the soil 😂
  • LatimerLatimer Posts: 790
    I tried that last year and got nothing!! Must try again this year, though I have also sown some seeds, just in case
  • Side shoots usually work well for me. See https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-take-verbena-bonariensis-cuttings/ although I have done them at various times of the year. Use a mist / spray and use really sharp drainage.
  • LatimerLatimer Posts: 790
Sign In or Register to comment.