Glandularia Pulchella Trails Color Through the Drought-Tolerant Garden
Masses of purple blossoms and finely textured foliage cover the ground of arid gardens from spring to fall
For those who live in arid climates, South American mock vervain (Glandularia pulchella) provides landscape interest and beauty at ground level. The fern-like foliage creates a delicate texture, while clusters of purple, and sometimes white or pink, flowers make a strong color statement in the warm-season garden.
Like many ground covers, this vervain reduces heat reflection from the ground while also adding a visual cooling element to the landscape. This drought-tolerant ground cover can be treated as an annual in climates colder than Zone 8.
Caution: South American mock vervain is best used in areas with arid climates, where its spread is checked by the availability of water. Avoid planting in hot, humid regions such as Florida and the Southeast, where it can become invasive.
Like many ground covers, this vervain reduces heat reflection from the ground while also adding a visual cooling element to the landscape. This drought-tolerant ground cover can be treated as an annual in climates colder than Zone 8.
Caution: South American mock vervain is best used in areas with arid climates, where its spread is checked by the availability of water. Avoid planting in hot, humid regions such as Florida and the Southeast, where it can become invasive.
Distinguishing traits. Like most Glandularia species, South American mock vervain grows low to the ground and produces masses of colorful flowers. Its finely textured foliage appears lacy or fern-like, setting it apart from the other species. Its bright green foliage can spread to over 3 feet wide, creating a visually cooling carpet.
This drought-tolerant perennial isn’t fussy. It needs no fertilizer and requires only an annual pruning in late winter or spring to remove frost-damaged growth, and occasionally an additional pruning in late summer to rejuvenate. It can die back to the ground in Zone 8 but will grow back quickly in spring.
This drought-tolerant perennial isn’t fussy. It needs no fertilizer and requires only an annual pruning in late winter or spring to remove frost-damaged growth, and occasionally an additional pruning in late summer to rejuvenate. It can die back to the ground in Zone 8 but will grow back quickly in spring.
Clusters of small purple flowers are borne on 4-inch-tall stems from spring to fall. Lower flowers can turn a pretty shade of blue as they fade. South American mock vervain can also be found with white or pink flowers, although they are less common.
This purple beauty flowers more than many ground covers do. It is short-lived but it self-seeds, providing new plants to take its place. Seedlings can be pulled out or allowed to grow. In colder climates it is sometimes used as a self-seeding annual.
This purple beauty flowers more than many ground covers do. It is short-lived but it self-seeds, providing new plants to take its place. Seedlings can be pulled out or allowed to grow. In colder climates it is sometimes used as a self-seeding annual.
South American mock vervain looks best in spring and early fall but can look somewhat straggly in the middle of summer in full sun — especially in low-desert zones. Avoid this by planting it in a location that receives filtered shade or afternoon shade.
Shown: White-flowering South American mock vervain
How to use it. Plant alongside a boulder or dry wash where a colorful carpet of flowers can trail over rocks for texture and color contrast. Add it to containers in spring where it will trail over the side throughout the summer. Mix it with succulents such as agave (Agave spp.), golden barrel cactus (Echinocactus grusonii) or ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens), as it will soften these accent plants’ stark lines.
Plant South American mock vervain under roses to provide another color element and hide the roses’ lower branches. South American mock vervain can also be used alongside other drought-tolerant perennials, such as angelita daisy (Tetraneuris acaulis), blackfoot daisy (Melampodium leucanthum), desert marigold (Baileya multiradiata) and Parry’s penstemon (Penstemon parryi).
Planting notes. Plant it in well-drained soil in a location that receives full sun or filtered shade. No fertilizer is needed.
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Common names: South American mock vervain, moss verbena, rock verbena
Origin: Native to Brazil
Where it will grow: Hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 9.4 degrees Celsius (USDA Zone 8; find your zone)
Water requirement: Low to moderate; water deeply every two weeks in summer (weekly in low-desert zones), every three weeks in spring and fall, and monthly in winter
Light requirement: Full sun or filtered shade
Mature size: 8 inches tall and 3 to 4 feet wide
Benefits and tolerances: Drought tolerant; attracts butterflies; deer resistant
Seasonal interest: Flowers in spring, summer and fall; can be grown as an annual in cooler zones
When to plant: Spring and fall