* Lilac (Cedros Island) Verbena – Verbena lilacina (ver-BEE-nuh lie-luh-SEE-nuh)

Family: Verbenaceae (Verbena Family)

Native to: Endemic to Cedros Island off the coast of Baja California. Canyons & bluffs in ocean-influenced

desert scrub.

Growth characteristics: perennial shrub mature height: 2-4 ft. mature width: 3-5 ft.

Dense, rounded shrub with lacy leaves and up-curving branches. Gray-green foliage is evergreen with

water; drought deciduous. Contained growth habit with yearly pruning – neat looking.

Blooms/fruits: Blooms Apr-Sept. Very showy. Small lilac blossoms on stems above foliage. Long

blooming period – flowers continue to open up the stem. Flowers have a spicy scent.

Uses in the garden: Many uses for this attractive plant. Good in mixed beds, containers, planters. Fine

choice for foundation plant or on banks & slopes. Even does great in hanging baskets. Place where you

can enjoy the scent and the butterfly visitors. Reliable bloomer to span the seasons.

Sensible substitute for: Non-native shrubs with lilac flowers.

Attracts: Excellent butterfly plant – you’ll always have summer butterflies visiting. Birds also eat seeds.

Requirements:

Element Requirement

Sun Full sun best; light shade also ok

Soil Any well-drained soil; clays require very careful watering.

Water Little to moderate. Tolerates some summer water (perhaps every other week) better than many natives.

Fertilizer None needed

Other Organic mulch fine

Management: Easy to grow. Looks best with yearly pruning to shape. Can lightly shear in summer to

promote more dense foliage.

Propagation: from seed: yes by cuttings: probably; likely requires moist conditions for rooting.

Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 8, 11, 13, 14 2/15/11 * Native to Baja CA © Project SOUND

Verbena lilacina Lilac verbena