Beth Ellen Doran, Iowa Master Gardener
Justin Glison, climatologist with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, forecasts the summer of 2024 to be hot and dry. Because of this, gardeners may want to consider planting Verbena Sweetheart Kisses.
Why Verbena Sweetheart Kisses? This verbena was recently named a national 2024 award winner by All-America Selections (AAS). To achieve this distinction, a plant variety must demonstrate superior performance as noted by professional horticulturalists at approximately 80 trial sites throughout the U.S. and Canada. Both the Reiman Gardens at Iowa State University and McCrory Gardens at South Dakota State University are among the trial sites. To learn more about AAS, go to https://all-americaselections.org/.
Verbena Sweetheart Kisses may be your flower of choice this summer for many reasons. It is both heat and drought tolerant with water needs ranging from dry to normal. It likes full sun but will grow in partial sun. It does not require deadheading nor staking – an “easy care” plant. On a personal note, my mother-in-law in Oklahoma grew them in a barrel at the farm gate, and they did splendidly in hot, dry weather.
The AAS judges praised this annual flower for its vibrant red, rose, pink and hint of white blooms. One judge commented, “The flower color variation is stunning!” Another remarked, “Nice variety of colors…compact plants, nicely branched.”
The plant is versatile. It can be grown in a container, hanging basket, a low-height edge, medium-height divider, or as a ground cover. Sweetheart Kisses may be started indoors five weeks before transplanting outdoors after the last frost or it can be directly sown in the garden after the last spring frost. Expect flowers 21 days after transplanting or 55 days after direct seeding until fall frost.
And do not overlook that this flowering plant is pollinator friendly with the brightly colored blooms attractive to butterflies and bees. It is easy to see why Verbena Sweetheart Kisses was named a “champion” flower.
As for me, I hope to grow this easy, beautiful flower and watch the butterflies while sipping an iced tea. Roll on those lazy, hazy days of summer!