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Verbena maritima Beach Verbena

Edward F. Gilman, Ryan W. Klein, and Gail Hansen

Release Date: 2/4/2024

DOI: 10.32473/edis-fp598-1999

Agriculture

Abstract

This document provides an overview of the beach verbena, a native plant of Florida’s coastal areas. This perennial ground cover is known for its purple or lavender flowers and fine-textured foliage. It thrives in full sun and sandy soils, making it an excellent dune stabilizer. The plant’s stems creep along the ground, rooting to bind the sand and prevent erosion. Despite its resilience to salt air and water, the beach verbena is endangered in the wild. The text emphasizes its use in landscaping for ground cover, attracting butterflies, and naturalizing coastal areas. First published Oct. 1999.

About this Publication

This document is FPS-598, one of a series of the Department of Environmental Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date October 1999. Revised October 2023. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.

About the Authors

Edward F. Gilman, professor emeritus; Ryan W. Klein, assistant professor, arboriculture; and Gail Hansen, professor, sustainable landscape design; Department of Environmental Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.