Why Doesn’t My Verbena Bonariensis Flower

Question

I put my plant in about 4 years ago & the first year it was gorgeous full of flowers. The 2nd year it hardly grew at all, it barely reached about 18inches and then last year and this year it has masses of leaves, has reached a respectable height of over 5ft – I’m 5’1″ and it’s taller than me – but not flowers & although it has leaf buds coming through it has absolutely no flower buds at all. It’s planted against a fence & gets sun all morning & up to about 3pm. Do you have any advice?

Answer 1

Likely, there is too much nitrogen in the soil, and not enough phosphorus and potassium. You will need to confirm with a soil test before adding, so that you will know how much to add.

Here are some articles that will help:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-soil.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/soil-ph-plants.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/verbena/growing-verbena-plants.htm