Information about Verbena lilacena

1. * Lilac (Cedros Island) Verbena – Verbena lilacina (ver-BEE-nuh lie-luh-SEE-nuh)
Family: Verbenaceae (Verbena Family)
Native to: Endemic to Cedros Island off the coast of Baja California. Canyons & bluffs in ocean-influenced
desert scrub.
Growth characteristics: perennial shrub mature height: 2-4 ft. mature width: 3-5 ft.
Dense, rounded shrub with lacy leaves and up-curving branches. Gray-green foliage is evergreen with
water; drought deciduous. Contained growth habit with yearly pruning – neat looking.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms Apr-Sept. Very showy. Small lilac blossoms on stems above foliage. Long
blooming period – flowers continue to open up the stem. Flowers have a spicy scent.
Uses in the garden: Many uses for this attractive plant. Good in mixed beds, containers, planters. Fine
choice for foundation plant or on banks & slopes. Even does great in hanging baskets. Place where you
can enjoy the scent and the butterfly visitors. Reliable bloomer to span the seasons.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native shrubs with lilac flowers.
Attracts: Excellent butterfly plant – you’ll always have summer butterflies visiting. Birds also eat seeds.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun best; light shade also ok
Soil Any well-drained soil; clays require very careful watering.
Water Little to moderate. Tolerates some summer water (perhaps every other week)
better than many natives.
Fertilizer None needed
Other Organic mulch fine
Management: Easy to grow. Looks best with yearly pruning to shape. Can lightly shear in summer to
promote more dense foliage.
Propagation: from seed: yes by cuttings: probably; likely requires moist conditions for rooting.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 8, 11, 13, 14 2/15/11
* Native to Baja CA © Project SOUND

2. Verbena lilacina
Lilac verbena