1. *Desert mock verbena – Glandularia gooddingii (glan-doo-LAIR-ee-uh good-ding-ee-eye )
Family: Verbenaceae (Verbena Family)
Native to: Eastern Mojave Desert, ne Sonoran Desert from CA to UT, NV, NM, AZ & n. Mexico;
along sandy washes, canyon floors, ravines or road banks in sandy soils, 2000-6000 ft.
Growth characteristics: herbaceous perennial mature height: 1-2 ft. mature width: 1-3 ft.
Shrubby perennial/sub-shrub with low, slightly mounded habit. Branches are open, mostly
decumbent; often used a perennial groundcover. Foliage is medium green and softly hairy. Leaves
are highly variable and may be 3-lobed or merely toothed, somewhat like chrysanthemum.
Moderate growth rate, short-lived (3-5 years). Evergreen with a little summer water.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms April-June, but may be earlier of later. Flowers are violet or pink-purple, in
parts of five. Flowers grouped in dense clusters at the ends of branches (typical for the family).
Very showy – looks like a flower garden plant. Gorgeous when massed!
Uses in the garden: Commonly used as perennial groundcover or purple accent plant. Good choice
with native and non-native flowers with the same requirements. Showy in containers. Good choice
for bordering walkways, patios, courtyards, pools. Good choice for hummingbird/butterfly gardens.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native verbenas, lantanas.
Attracts: Excellent hummingbird and butterfly habitat plant.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun to part-shade.
Soil Well-drained soil a must; any local pH.
Water Infrequent to moderate summer water ; Water Zone 2 or 2-3 in well-drained soils.
Fertilizer None needed, except light dose if grown in containers.
Other None/inorganic mulch.
Management: Trim off spent flowers to improve appearance and lengthen bloom season. Remove
dead plants. Plants will usually re-seed on bare ground and replace themselves.
Propagation: from seed: easy; requires light to germinate by cuttings: probably
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 3, 8, 13, 16 7/30/14
* not native to western Los Angeles County, but a CA native © Project SOUND