De La Mina Verbena (Verbena lilacina 'De La Mina') is a beautiful California native garden shrub known for its delicate, fern-like green foliage and clusters of rich purple flowers with subtle lavender tones. Blooming from spring through fall and often nearly year-round in mild coastal climates, this fast-growing, rounded plant brings long-lasting color and fragrance to native gardens, borders, and pollinator landscapes. Drought tolerant once established, it thrives in sunny to partially shaded locations with well-drained soil, making it an excellent choice for California water-wise gardens, containers, and butterfly habitats.

Quick care: Full sun to part shade • Low water once established • Well-drained soil • Long-blooming purple flowers. See the Plant Profile and Growing Conditions below for full details.

Plant Profile

• Plant Type: Evergreen to semi-deciduous perennial subshrub

• Mature Size: Approximately 2–3 feet tall and 3–4 feet wide, depending on growing conditions

• Native Range: Selected from plants native to Cedros Island off the coast of Baja California, Mexico

• Flower Color: Deep purple to lavender-purple

• Bloom Time: Spring through fall, with potential for nearly year-round blooms in mild coastal climates

• Foliage: Finely divided, fern-like green leaves with a light, aromatic fragrance

• Growth Habit: Fast-growing, rounded, mounding shrub with a soft, airy appearance

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun to part shade; appreciates afternoon shade in hot inland climates

• Water: Low to moderate — drought tolerant once established

• Soil: Well-drained sandy, loamy, rocky, or clay soils; avoid poorly drained conditions

• USDA Zones: Approximately 9–10; cold tolerance varies by growing conditions, with established plants tolerating temperatures around 20–25°F

• Drought Tolerant: Yes — once established

• Maintenance: Low to moderate; lightly shear or prune after flowering to maintain a compact shape and encourage fresh growth. Avoid excessive watering, which can cause the plant to become leggy.

Planting Instructions

• Best Planting Time: Fall through spring in California, when temperatures are mild

• Spacing: Plant approximately 3–4 feet apart, allowing room for the plant to spread naturally

• Planting Depth: Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and about twice as wide. Set the plant at the same depth it was growing in its nursery container

• Establishment Water: Water thoroughly after planting. Water regularly during the establishment period, allowing the soil to drain between waterings

• Long-Term Care: Gradually reduce watering as the plant establishes. Once established, water occasionally during dry periods, adjusting for local conditions and soil type. In hot, dry climates, occasional supplemental watering can encourage more abundant flowering. Lightly trim the plant to maintain its rounded form and remove spent flowers as needed.

Wildlife & Pollinators

• Attracts: Butterflies, native bees, honeybees, and other beneficial insects

• Pollinator Value: Long-lasting clusters of nectar-rich purple flowers provide a valuable food source for butterflies and other pollinators over an extended flowering season

• Deer Resistant: Generally considered deer resistant, although occasional browsing may occur

• Garden Benefits: Excellent for butterfly gardens, pollinator gardens, mixed borders, containers, slopes, and low-water landscapes

• Notable: De La Mina Verbena is especially valued for its long flowering season and ability to attract butterflies, including Painted Lady butterflies. Its finely textured foliage and rich purple flowers pair beautifully with California native sages, buckwheats, and other drought-tolerant perennials.