Marianne's Response

Droopy Verbena

I had my yard landscaped a couple years ago. I have about 6 Verbena and carpet roses and they have always looked very droopy. They get plenty of water and are not ridden with pests. any ideas? Should I prune them down to the ground in the spring? Thank you.

Posted by Brigitte Button on January 21, 2019

Marianne's Response

Plants will look "very droopy" for several reasons but most often too little or too much water.  If your verbena are being watered often they maybe wilting due to root rot from moist soil. Depending on the type of verbena you have planted some varieties are quite drought resistant and do not do well with constant moisture. The flower carpet roses could also be wilting from too much water or perhaps they have been given too much fertilizer and the quick growth has made their stems long and weak so that the appear to droop. If you send a photo of the plants it would help with clues to this "droopy" mystery. Meanwhile, I do suggest you prune back both the roses and the verbena this spring for a fresh start. The roses can be cut back by one half and the verbena cut back by two thirds in early spring.  Keep growing, Marianne Binetti