Rose Verbena

Glandularia canadensis is in the Verbenaceae or Vervain family. This family includes the fragrant herb Lemon Verbena. Other native Ozark wildflowers in this family include Verbena simplex (Narrow-leaved vervain), Verbena stricta (Hoary vervain) and Verbena hastata (Blue vervain).

Common names include Rose verbena, Rose vervain or Rose mock vervain. The most current botanical name is Glandularia canadensis. A former name was Verbena canadensis. The genus name- Glandularia- refers to glands found on many of these plants. The term canadensis means ‘of Canada’, which is a bit confusing since Rose verbena is not native to Canada. There are a lot of plants with the term canadensis in their name and the reason is that Linnaeus, the 18th century botanist who first described many species used the term ‘Canada’ to refer to most of northeastern North America, which now mostly consists of the United States.

The fragrant flowers have a bright purple hue that varies from almost pink to magenta to purple. The color is especially beautiful against the limestone of the Arkansas Ozarks.

Flowers appear in clusters, with each cluster having from 10-25 flowers. Each flower is about 1/2 ” across with 4 or 5 lobes or petals. Flower lobes are often notched. The flowering stems may trail or rise from the creeping plant up to about a foot.

Rose verbena is a low, sprawling perennial that creeps along the ground and can trail up or over large stones. Although individual plants are not long-lived, new shoots emerge where stems with a node touche the ground. This habit makes this plant a reliable ground cover. On top of that, new plants are easily started by clipping and replanting young shoots.

The foliage has a lovely patina in winter with leaves that vary from green to purple. The plant easily survives hard frosts and can often be found flowering when covered with snow.

Stems are hairy with opposite leaves that are divided into 3 or more lobes. Flowering spikes appear in a cluster with up to 25 flowers. Individual flowers consist of a 1/2 ” sized tube with 5 lobes or petals. The flowering stems may trail or rise from the creeping plant up to a foot or two.

Glandularia canadensis is a terrific plant for butterfly and pollinator gardens! Many varied insects can be seen visiting the flowers.

Fast flying Hummingbird moths are frequent visitors and fun to watch as they sprint flower to flower!

So many butterflies, skippers and moths nectar on these flowers. Check out a sampling of them below!

Many bees are also supported by this wonderful native wildflower.

Rose verbena is a common inhabitant of our rocky glades. It thrives among the limestone, often clamoring up and over large stones. It can handle the summer heat and drought among the stones. During summers droughts, blooming will slow and then perk back up with a rain.

I also find Rose verbena in Savanna habitat or the border between glade and woodland.

Glandularia canadensis is native to most states east of the Mississippi river. West of the river it extends to Colorado and New Mexico. While most states show No Status Rank, it is listed as Critically Imperiled in Kentucky and North Carolina and Vulnerable in Florida. Both Georgia and Kansas list it as Secure.

In Arkansas it has a Conservation value of 6.

There are many cultivars of our native verbena. Most are bred to have varied colors, bigger flowers or ability to withstand colder winters. In Arkansas and surrounding states, I don't think there could be any cultivar that can outshine our native Rose Verbena. Our native verbena (Glandularia canadensis) is already long blooming, survives our crazy weather (heat, drought, snow and ice), resistant to mildow (I've never seen mildew on it) and supports butterflies, native bees and other interesting insects. It also reproduces readily and is easy to share with a friend.

While some cultivars may have unique colors, etc., their altered flowers often don't support insects with appropriate nectar rewards. In addition, they usually don't reproduce true to type.

So, if you want to grow this plant, I suggest purchasing it from a reputable Native Plant Nursery or ask a friend to share a piece. They are so easy to reproduce by digging a small piece to plant.