1. California Verbena – Verbena lasiostachys
(ver-BEE-na las-ee-oh-STAY-kis)
Family: Verbenaceae (Vervain Family)
Native to: Much of CA, but particularly the coastal areas of SW CA, Deserts, Great Central Valley &
surrounding mountains; also NW coast, OR and Baja; open, often disturbed areas in Chaparral or
Coastal Scrub, Coastal Prairies, Foothills, Oak Woodlands.
herbaceous perennial
mature height: 1-4 ft. mature width: 1-4 ft.
Sprawling to upright herbaceous perennial with square, hairy stems. Leaves are coarsely toothed,
larger at the base of the plant, and are hairy. Reminiscent of closely related mints.
Growth characteristics:
Blooms May-Sept. Small blue-purple flowers on upright flowering stem.
open “up the stem” as the season progresses. Striking in a quiet sort of way.
Blooms/fruits:
Flowers
Uses in the garden: Best with other plants in garden beds. Looks particularly nice with white-foliage
plants. Similar in requirements to Seaside Heliotrope. Can be used as seasonal groundcover.
Excellent habitat plant. Pretty growing among yellow or orange-flowered summer bloomers.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native mints and verbenas (although more subdued).
Attracts: Excellent nectar source for bees, butterflies, other insects and hummingbirds.
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun to part-shade (particularly in hot gardens)
Not particular with regards to texture, pH; even does well in poorly-draining soils
None after flowering; can stand seasonal flooding in winter
None needed
Cut back to base after flowering. Let it remain dormant until the winter rains. Too
much water can cause it to become weedy.
Management:
Propagation: from seed: in fall
by root divisions: in fall
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 10, 11, 13, 16
12/15/10
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