Verbena officinalis var. grandiflora

‘Bampton’

BAMPTON VERVAIN

Verbena officinalis var. grandiflora ‘Bampton’
BAMPTON VERVAIN

Sometimes gardeners just get lucky, and we certainly did when Verbena officinalis var. grandiflora ‘Bampton’ was found.
This lovely (and very hardy) Verbena, with such beautiful colouring, was a chance find in a park at the town of Bampton in Devon, England. Hence the name.

Outstanding foliage & flower colour

Slender leaves of plum, burgundy and bronze shades are topped by wispy fine lavender-pink flower heads, atop glossy purple-black stems.
The whole plant is very fine and filmy, and creates a veil of deep colour in the garden or a pot.

Very long blooming

Verbena officinalis var. grandiflora ‘Bampton’ produces a continuous succession of the tiny pink flower heads, dark leaves and stems, making a cloud of colour for months over summer and autumn.

Water-wise 

‘Bampton’ is a low water usage plant, and once established can withstand periods of dry if necessary. And only requires minimal water assistance to thrive during the heat of summer.

Heat resistant

Plant in a Full Sun to Partly Shaded position.
‘Bampton’ loves an airy (even windy) open position and revels in sun and heat.
It makes an ideal (and very handsome) seaside garden or container plant.

Well drained soil or great in a container

Verbena officinalis var. grandiflora ‘Bampton’ prefers well drained soil; from alkaline lime based soils to slightly acid pH; from sandy to good garden loam.
However it cannot abide poor drainage or constant moisture.
It also dies best in poorer, sandy or stoney soils, without pampering.

Excellent cut stems for vases

‘Bampton’ provides superb stems for floral arrangements, and lasts well in a vase.
The tiny lavender pink heads, almost black stems, and fine, shiny wine-bronze leaves make a fine filler amongst larger blooms. Like a dark Gyp.
Cut the stems as the blooms are just beginning to open for a long vase life.

Bees & useful pollinators love it too

Vervain ‘Bampton’ is also very useful for keeping the bees and pollinators happy, at work and at home in your garden.

Untroubled by pests & diseases

Verbena officinalis var. grandiflora ‘Bampton’ is rarely if ever troubled by any pests or diseases.

Low maintenance

And ‘Bampton’ largely just takes care of itself – so there is little, if any work to do until the end of autumn when you cut it back to the permanent base, ready to froth up with more delightful colour clouds next spring.
It does best with only minimal fertilizing, so the colour is more intense and the flowering more profuse.

Self sows volunteer babies

Verbena officinalis var. grandiflora ‘Bampton’ will self sow volunteer seedlings in places where it is happy – so you can share the colour with friends or start new colonies.
But the babies are easy to weed out if you don’t want them.
The parent plant also returns next season from the evergreen base.

90cm. High in full flower during summer and autumn x hardy clump 45cm. Wide.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: QUICK & EASY

Suits beginners & gardening with kids

Sow all year in punnets indoors / or scatter in the garden in spring or autumn.

Sow indoors for quickest & early plants: First sow the seeds in a punnet on surface of good quality seed raising mix.
Then gently press the seeds onto the surface of the mix, to ensure good contact.

Now cover seed with sieved mix / fine grit / or washed sand to a depth of 3mm.

Then thoroughly moisten the mix from below – by placing the sown punnet into a shallow water bath and allowing the moisture to percolate up to the surface of the mix from below.

Now drain and place the moist punnet in a warm position and cover the punnet with a light proof cover (cardboard or black plastic are good).
Because these seeds need dark to germinate.

Temperatures of 18-25°C approx. are best for rapid and optimum germination.
You can use a temperature-controlled heat mat if you have one for rapid germination, but it is not essential, as these seeds are willing germinators.
A warm window-sill or well-lit corner is also fine.

Adding a clear plastic cover or plastic bag helps to retain consistent moisture in the punnet.

And continue to keep the punnet moist by spraying the surface of the mix with a fine spray water bottle, or re-soaking in the water bath, as required.
(If the punnet is light weight when you pick it up – the mix is drying out and needs another soak from below in the water bath).

Seedlings emerge in approx. 10-28 days.

Seed Count: 80 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count, and give a generous serve).

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