Verbena (Verbena 'Snow Flurry')
Discover Verbena 'Snow Flurry,' a low-maintenance, sun-loving perennial producing prolific white blooms from May to frost. Ideal ground cover.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Verbena ‘Snow Flurry’ brings exceptional, season-long color to the landscape with its masses of bright white flowers. This particular Verbena hybrid is prized for its compact, sprawling habit, making it an outstanding choice for situations demanding reliable ground cover or softening hard edges. Gardeners appreciate this variety for its low maintenance profile and its attraction to beneficial insects.
As a member of the Verbenaceae family, Verbena ‘Snow Flurry’ thrives when given plenty of sunlight and well-drained growing conditions. Though often treated as an annual for consistent performance, it may behave as a short-lived perennial in warmer zones. Its ability to establish rapidly and spread makes it highly effective in mass plantings.
The prolific bloom display of Verbena ‘Snow Flurry’ provides color from late spring right through to the first hard frost. These white, five-petaled flowers cluster attractively, offering a cooling contrast in hot summer borders. For maximum impact, plant this Verbena where its spreading nature can be utilized, such as cascading over walls or filling in gaps between pavers.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Verbenaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 0.75-1 ft
- Spread: 1-1.5 ft
- Bloom Time: May to frost
- Bloom Description: White
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Dry to medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Plant Verbena ‘Snow Flurry’ in the spring after all danger of frost has passed, or sow seeds indoors six to eight weeks prior to transplanting. The key to success with this Verbena is excellent drainage; ensure the soil is light, average, and free from excessive moisture, as wet, poorly drained soils invite root rot problems. Full sun exposure is essential for robust flowering and healthy, dense growth.
Once established, Verbena ‘Snow Flurry’ requires minimal attention. It prefers dry to medium moisture levels, tolerating drought exceptionally well once mature, as noted by its robust drought tolerance. Fertilization is rarely necessary; excessive fertility often results in leggy growth at the expense of blooms. Deadheading spent flower clusters is optional, as the plant has a degree of self-cleaning ability.
While often grown as an annual, Verbena ‘Snow Flurry’ can sometimes perennialize in its upper hardiness zones. If you wish to encourage self-seeding, allow some flower heads to mature naturally, as the plant reliably comes true from seed under ideal conditions. In the fall, cut back the foliage before winter dormancy if treating it as a perennial, though many simply allow the plant to complete its life cycle before preparing the bed for new annual plantings the following year.
Landscape Uses
Verbena ‘Snow Flurry’ excels as a versatile ground cover, spreading gently to weave through rock gardens or spill over retaining walls. Its low, clumping, semi-upright habit makes it perfect for border fronts where it prevents the soil from showing between taller plantings. The continuous floral display ensures year-round visual interest in tight spaces.
Due to its spreading nature, this plant is phenomenal in mixed containers, hanging baskets, or window boxes, allowing the white flowers to drape elegantly over the sides. Companion planting should utilize species that share its preference for full sun, low water needs, and well-drained soil. Consider pairing Verbena ‘Snow Flurry’ with upright accent plants like ornamental grasses or shorter, mounding perennials such as Sedum or Coreopsis for textural contrast.
For mass plantings, using dozens of Verbena ‘Snow Flurry’ creates a seamless, shining white carpet throughout the summer months. This reliable edging plant defines walkways and garden beds beautifully without becoming invasive or overly tall, ensuring sightlines remain clear.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Verbena is a genus of about 250 species of annuals, perennials and subshrubs from temperate and tropical areas of the Americas with a few from Southern Europe. They are grown for their showy flowers that are attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators. ‘Snow Flurry’ is a compact verbena that typically grows to 10-12” tall and spreads by decumbent stems, rooting where they touch the ground, to form an attractive ground cover. White flowers in flat-topped clusters bloom prolifically in a season-long display, typically heaviest in spring and fall.
Tolerances
- Drought
Potential Problems
This Verbena generally presents few issues, but gardeners should be vigilant regarding environmental stresses. There is some susceptibility to powdery mildew, particularly in areas with high humidity or poor air circulation; ensure plants have adequate spacing to improve airflow. Wet soils are detrimental, increasing the risk of Botrytis blight and severe root rot. Monitor foliage regularly for spider mites, especially during periods of persistent dry weather, and treat promptly with horticultural oil if populations become heavy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Verbena ‘Snow Flurry’ suitable for?
Verbena ‘Snow Flurry’ is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 5 through 8, performing best when positioned in a location matching the maximum temperature tolerance of Zone 8.
How large does Verbena ‘Snow Flurry’ grow?
This compact Verbena variety reaches a mature height between 0.75 and 1 foot tall, with a spread generally ranging from 1 to 1.5 feet wide, making it an excellent low border plant.
What sun exposure does Verbena ‘Snow Flurry’ need?
For the most prolific flowering and strongest growth, Verbena ‘Snow Flurry’ requires exposure to full sun throughout the gardening season.
When does Verbena ‘Snow Flurry’ bloom?
This variety blooms profusely, starting in May and continuing steadily until the arrival of frost, featuring masses of white flowers.
Conclusion
Verbena ‘Snow Flurry’ is an invaluable addition to sunny, well-drained garden spaces, delivering continuous white blooms with exceptionally low fuss. Its performance as a spreading ground cover or container accent makes this Verbena a versatile favorite. Before planting, confirm your location falls within USDA Zones 5-8 and prepare to offer it ample sunlight for a spectacular season of color.
Companion Planting
Selecting partners that enjoy similar conditions—full sun and moderate to dry soil—will ensure the health of your Verbena ‘Snow Flurry’ display. Consider pairing it with low-growing succulents like Sedum or low-mounding Dianthus, which thrive in similar arid environments. These companions offer differing foliage textures while sharing the same cultural requirements.
For vertical contrast, incorporate low-growing ornamental grasses like Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca), whose fine texture and cool blue tones contrast nicely with the dense, white blanket of the Verbena. Avoid moisture-loving perennials or plants requiring partial shade, as these conditions directly contradict the needs of this specific Verbena hybrid.
Propagation Tips
While Verbena ‘Snow Flurry’ is often purchased as nursery bedding plants, it can be easily propagated for more coverage next season. Stem cuttings taken in late spring or early summer rooting quickly if placed in a well-draining medium. Since this hybrid often comes true from seed, saving and sowing dried seed capsules from the previous year’s growth is another excellent, cost-effective method to expand your plantings.
