Great Design Plant: Glandularia Gooddingii
Southwestern mock vervain’s fragrant lavender flowers decorate the drought-tolerant landscape in late winter through early summer
It’s hard to find a perennial that thrives with as little attention as Southwestern mock vervain (Glandularia gooddingii) does. Equally at home tucked into pockets surrounded by boulders, planted alongside succulents or included in wildflower gardens, this verbena species adds welcome pastel color and fragrance to the drought-tolerant garden from late winter into summer. Butterflies and birds frequently visit this reseeding perennial, making it a great choice for fuss-free landscapes as well as those designed to attract wildlife.
Not in the Southwest? Browse plants native to other regions of the U.S.
Not in the Southwest? Browse plants native to other regions of the U.S.
Distinguishing traits. Southwestern mock vervain is a drought-tolerant perennial that does best in well-drained soils. Its leaves consist of three lobes, which are deeply toothed and reach approximately 1 inch long and wide. Tiny white hairs cover the leaf and stem’s surface, contributing to their attractive gray-green color.
Like most verbena, this Southwestern species is short-lived, lasting an average of three years in the landscape. Though the plant’s life may be somewhat short, it produces copious amounts of flowers. Southwestern mock vervain self-seeds, ensuring there are always more to replace them.
Like most verbena, this Southwestern species is short-lived, lasting an average of three years in the landscape. Though the plant’s life may be somewhat short, it produces copious amounts of flowers. Southwestern mock vervain self-seeds, ensuring there are always more to replace them.
This verbena’s lightly fragrant flowers range from pale pink to lavender in color. Clusters of five-petaled flowers are borne above the attractive foliage and attract butterflies and birds.
How to use it. The softly mounded shape of Southwestern mock vervain looks most at home in a natural landscape setting where it can trail among boulders or alongside other spring flowering plants such as brittlebush (Encelia farinosa), beloperone (Justicia californica), damianita (Chrysactinia mexicana), globemallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua) and Parry’s penstemon (Penstemon parryi).
It also makes a great understory planting alongside tall succulents like Weber’s century plant (Agave weberi), common sotol (Dasylirion wheeleri), Mexican grass tree (Dasylirion quadrangulatum, syn. D. longissimum), Mexican fencepost cactus (Pachycereus marginatus) or Santa Rita pricklypear (Opuntia santa-rita).
Southwestern mock vervain’s flowers and growth habit make it a great addition to wildflower seed mixes that are spread in fall. Combine with California poppy (Eschscholzia californica), desert marigold (Baileya multiradiata) and lupine (Lupinus spp.) for a garden filled with spring flowers.
It also makes a great understory planting alongside tall succulents like Weber’s century plant (Agave weberi), common sotol (Dasylirion wheeleri), Mexican grass tree (Dasylirion quadrangulatum, syn. D. longissimum), Mexican fencepost cactus (Pachycereus marginatus) or Santa Rita pricklypear (Opuntia santa-rita).
Southwestern mock vervain’s flowers and growth habit make it a great addition to wildflower seed mixes that are spread in fall. Combine with California poppy (Eschscholzia californica), desert marigold (Baileya multiradiata) and lupine (Lupinus spp.) for a garden filled with spring flowers.
Planting notes. Plant in well-drained soil in full sun or filtered shade. It’s important to note that a location in full sun will stimulate maximum flowering. Water deeply once a month in winter, every 10 days in spring and twice a month in summer and fall.
Though low-maintenance, Southwestern mock vervain benefits from having its spent flower heads sheared away in summer. The entire plant can be pruned back severely in summer to stimulate new growth.
More
Browse plants native to other regions of the U.S.
Though low-maintenance, Southwestern mock vervain benefits from having its spent flower heads sheared away in summer. The entire plant can be pruned back severely in summer to stimulate new growth.
More
Browse plants native to other regions of the U.S.
Common names: Southwestern mock vervain, Goodding’s verbena, pink verbena, Southwestern vervain
Origin: Native to the desert Southwest, including Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas and the Mexican states of Baja California and Sonora
Where it will grow: Hardy to 0 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 18 degrees Celsius (USDA zone 7; find your zone)
Water requirement: Low to moderate
Light requirement: Full sun to filtered shade
Mature size: 1 foot tall and up to 3 feet wide
Benefits and tolerances: Drought-tolerant once established; deer-resistant; flowers attract butterflies and birds
Seasonal interest: Flowers appear in late winter through early fall, with the heaviest bloom occurring in spring; in colder regions, flowering is mainly concentrated in late spring and summer
When to plant: Plant from seed in fall and spring; plant from transplants in late winter, spring or fall