Desert mock verbena is a perennial herbaceous shrub native to desert regions from California to northern Mexico. It has violet or pink flowers grouped in dense clusters at the ends of branches from April to June. It is commonly used as a groundcover or accent plant requiring full sun, well-drained soil, and infrequent summer watering. It attracts hummingbirds and butterflies and is low maintenance once established.

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