[Grubbypaws]

My verbena bonariensis has made it through the winter    I followed the GC advise 'In cold conditions Verbena bonariensis can suffer dieback if cut back in autumn, so it's best to leave the plant until spring and cut back the old growth when you see the new shoots emerging at the base'

New growth is just beginning. Should I prune now or wait until the chance of frost is over?

[arugula]

I think I'd tend to do it now. You might still get the odd frost, but not the potentially prolonged or sustained cold of the winter. You could fleece it if you fear a frost..

[Grubbypaws]

How hard should I prune it argyllie?

[arugula]

I would prune right back to just above the new growth, but I'm quite a harsh pruner.  I'd be interested to see what others think too.

[sunshineband]

I cut out the dead stems right down to the base, so that there are no spiky bits sticking out still, just nice fresh shoots 

Mine didn't make it this year so I have some tiny seedlings growing in the greenhouse... hope they flower this year, as I really like these a lot 

[arugula]

Sounds like I'm not that harsh then! 

[Grubbypaws]

When did you prune yours sunshineband?

[sunshineband]

When did you prune yours sunshineband?

Usually I prune mine at Easter or thereabouts, if there is no snow of course

This year there was no pruning, as the plants did not survive the winter. They were three years old though 

[mumofstig]

Mine have only just started to show through, I'll give them a few more weeks to grow and then I'll trim the old growth down   

[sunshineband]

When you grew yours from seed MoS, were they still at the first real leaf size by now?

[mumofstig]

I searched and found this, cos couldn't remember when I sowed them 

dated 13/6/2009 - i have just managed to germinate a potful of these.
I've pricked off as many as i need, so if anybody would like the rest...........

so it looks as if I may have sown them later 

[sunshineband]

I searched and found this, cos couldn't remember when I sowed them 

dated 13/6/2009 - i have just managed to germinate a potful of these.
I've pricked off as many as i need, so if anybody would like the rest...........

so it looks as if I may have sown them later 

I see.

Maybe mine are for flowering next year then.

(and the ones that didn't make it this year were the ones you sent me  )

[mumofstig]

they do say

BBC/gardening: This is a short-lived perennial 

I didn't mulch this year, and only have 2 plants left so guess this is how long they live 

[Grubbypaws]

I usually only grow plants that are long lived and grow happily in my garden without much fuss. My verbena is the exception; it looks so lovely when in flower that I dont want a summer without one.

I have just planted a verbena lollipop at the front of the border and cant wait. Has anyone else tried this variety. The only problem is if it is short lived I will not be able to propagate it from seed but then I have never got a single seed from his big brother and am resigned to having to fork out for a new plant every few years just to enjoy my summers 

[sunshineband]

they do say

BBC/gardening: This is a short-lived perennial 

I didn't mulch this year, and only have 2 plants left so guess this is how long they live 

Maybe