Verbena lilacina ‘De La Mina’ (Cedros Island Verbena)

Blooming for months, Verbena lilacina ‘De La Mina’ (Cedros Island Verbena) is an evergreen subshrub or perennial forming a bushy mound of delicately dissected, bright green, fern-looking foliage. Blooming most of the year with a peak in spring and summer, clusters of lightly fragrant dark purple flowers, 1 in. across (2.5 cm), are held on thin stalks above the foliage. The star-shaped blossoms are rich in nectar and attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators. Adaptable and very attractive, Cedros Island Verbena works well in dry borders and water-wise gardens, or as a container specimen in large decorative pots. This plant was collected by Carol Bornstein, then Director of Horticulture at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, in the Canyon de la Mina on Cedros Island, an island off the west coast of Baja California.

• Grows up to 2-3 ft. tall (60-90 cm) and 3-4 ft. wide (90-120 cm)
• Performs best in full sun to part shade in loamy, medium draining soil. Prefers sun in coastal areas, and part shade in inland areas. This plant has low water needs and is drought tolerant once established, but will do better with occasional water during hot summer months. Tolerates clay soil provided as long as it is not over-watered.
• Great for beds and borders, Mediterranean gardens, rock gardens or containers.
• Shear lightly in summer to maintain a lush, compact form.
• Propagate by taking softwood cuttings.
• No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for slugs and snails, powdery mildew if the plant is overwatered.