Glandularia × hybrida
garden verbena
South America (garden hybrid origin)
Overview
Glandularia x hybrida, the garden verbena, is a hybrid complex derived from several South American Glandularia spp. species. It is a tender perennial usually grown as an annual, forming a low mounding to trailing plant 6–12 inches (15–30 cm) tall and spreading 12–18 inches (30–45 cm) wide. The stems are square in cross-section and carry opposite, deeply toothed to lobed leaves 1–3 inches (2.5–7.5 cm) long with a rough texture. Flowers form in dense flat-topped clusters 2–3 inches (5–7.5 cm) across, each bloom a small five-lobed tube. Flower colour spans red, pink, purple, lavender, and white, often with a contrasting white eye. Bloom continues from late spring until frost where summers are not extreme. In hot, humid climates the foliage is prone to powdery mildew, which can thin the planting by late summer. The plant grows quickly and flowers heavily in full sun, but it is frost-tender and dies back when temperatures fall below freezing.
Native Range
Glandularia x hybrida is a hybrid of garden origin rather than a wild plant. Its parent species are native to South America, chiefly Argentina, Brazil, and neighbouring regions, where related Glandularia spp. grow in open grassland.Suggested Uses
Used in containers, hanging baskets, window boxes, and as a flowering groundcover or edging in beds. The flowers draw butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Plants are spaced 12–18 inches (30–45 cm) apart for bedding.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6" - 1'
Width/Spread1' - 1'6"
Bloom Information
Flowering begins in late spring and continues through summer until the first frost. The flat clusters open over many weeks, with new clusters forming as older ones fade. Removing spent clusters keeps flowering steady, and bloom slows during extreme summer heat.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
red, pink, purple, lavender, whiteFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun in moist, well-drained soil of average fertility. A soil pH from 6.0 to 7.5 suits it, and sharp drainage reduces root and stem rot. Water needs are medium, and even moisture supports steady bloom, though the plant tolerates short dry spells once established. It is frost-tender, hardy outdoors only in USDA zones 9–11, and is grown as an annual in colder regions. Full sun and good air movement reduce powdery mildew, which is common in hot, humid summers. A light feeding every few weeks sustains continuous flowering in containers.Pruning
Shearing the plant back by one-third in midsummer renews growth when flowering thins. Spent flower clusters are removed to prolong bloom. No structural pruning is needed on this low-growing plant.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons
✓ Toxicity
Non-toxicPlanting Guide
Planting Methods & Timing
Planting Method
transplant
Indoor Start
8 weeks before last frost
Plant Spacing
15 inches