This week, we are highlighting the beautiful beach verbena (Glandularia maritima). If you are looking to add a showy groundcover to your garden while also helping to support our pollinator species, look no further than this native wildflower!

Beach verbena is state-listed as endangered and found primarily on Florida’s east coast. Typically, these perennial wildflowers are found in coastal uplands, hammocks, and pinelands.

Beach verbena prefers full sun and dry, well-draining soils. Once established, they are drought-tolerant, salt spray-tolerant, and tolerant of nutrient-poor soil.

This wildflower stays low, getting up to 1 ft tall with a 1-2 ft wide spread. As the plant spreads, it will drop roots from its stems, aiding in soil stabilization. Beach verbena flowers year-round, producing gorgeous clusters of bright purple blooms.

Beach verbena is an excellent addition to native pollinator gardens, as both butterflies and bees frequent its nectar-rich blooms. Common butterflies attracted to beach verbena flowers include Gulf fritillary, long-tailed skippers, and mangrove skippers.

For more information:

Florida Wildflower Foundation

Florida Native Plant Society

Institute for Regional Conservation (IRC)

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