Verbena in Zone 5a & 5b
Glandularia spp.
Yes, verbena grows in zones 5a and 5b. Start seeds indoors Mar 1–Mar 8 and plant out May 17–May 24.
When to plant verbena in zone 5b
Zones 5a and 5b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Either: Start indoors for an earlier harvest, or direct-sow outside for less fuss. Either works.
| Start indoors | Mar 1–Mar 8 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 17–May 24 |
| Estimated bloom | Aug 5–Aug 12 (~80 days after planting) |
Spacing: about 2 square feet per plant (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 0.5-1 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 5b
These go outside within two weeks of verbena in zone 5b, so one planting day can cover them.
- NasturtiumMay 17–May 24
- MarigoldMay 17–May 24
- Ageratum (Flossflower)May 17–May 24
- Annual Geranium (Pelargonium)May 17–May 24
- Butterfly Weed (Asclepias)May 17–May 24
- Campanula (Bellflower)May 17–May 24
Verbena is a low, spreading groundcover flower, 6 to 12 inches at most, that does most of its work at ground level, filling gaps between taller plants and covering bare soil with tight, flat-topped clusters of small purple, pink, red, or white flowers through the hot months.
How verbena fits zone 5's season
Zone 5b's frost-free window runs about 148 days, from May 10 to October 5. Verbena needs about 80 days from sowing to first bloom.
Verbena planting windows in every zone
Zone 5b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Bloom |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5a & 5b (your zone) | Mar 1–Mar 8 | May 17–May 24 | Aug 5–Aug 12 |
| 6a & 6b | Feb 14–Feb 21 | May 2–May 9 | Jul 21–Jul 28 |
| 7a & 7b | Jan 30–Feb 6 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | Jul 6–Jul 13 |
| 8a & 8b | Jan 14–Jan 21 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | Jun 20–Jun 27 |
| 9a & 9b | Dec 7–Dec 14 | Feb 22–Mar 1 | May 13–May 20 |
| 10a & 10bFall window | Not usually | Sep–Nov | ~80 days after planting |
Bloom dates are about 80 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.
Good companions
No well-established companions for verbena.
Where to buy verbena seeds
True Leaf Market (each supplier's verbena seeds)
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing verbena" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
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Growing Verbena in USDA zone 5b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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