‘Homestead’ Verbena (Verbena canadensis):
•Status in Florida: Florida Friendly, Naturalized
•Native Habitat: Grasslands, prairies, open woodlands (native to Southeastern U.S., though ‘Homestead’ is a cultivated variety)
•Native State/Country: Southeastern United States (Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, Florida)
•Growing Zones: 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
•Size at Maturity: 1 to 2 feet tall, 3 to 4 feet wide
•Phenology: Semi-evergreen
•Life Cycle: Perennial
•Growth Rate: Fast
•Growth Habit: Sprawling, Groundcover
•Bloom Season: Spring through Fall (can bloom year-round in frost-free zones)
•Sunlight Requirements: Full
•Soil Texture: Sand, Loam, Adaptable
•Soil pH: Acidic to Neutral
•Moisture Requirements: Dry to Average, Drought tolerant
•Tolerance to Salt Spray: Low/None
•Keystone Plant: No
•Recommended Landscape Uses: Groundcover, hanging baskets, borders, pollinator gardens, mass plantings
•Maintenance Tips: Prune after flowering to encourage reblooming; drought-tolerant but benefits from occasional watering; avoid overly wet soils
•Considerations: Can spread rapidly; might require periodic cutting back to control size
•Hurricane Wind Resistant: Yes
•Erosion Control: Yes
•Nitrogen Fixing: No
•Edible: No
•Pet Safe: Yes
•Deer and Rabbit Resistance: Yes
•Historical Medicinal Uses: Some traditional use in folk medicine as a tonic, but not common
•Florida Native Companion Plant (matching growing conditions): Beach sunflower (Helianthus debilis), Blanketflower (Gaillardia pulchella), Native Lantana (Lantana depressa)
•Wildlife Benefit: Attracts butterflies and bees, especially skippers
•Caterpillar Host Plant: No
•Propagation: Seed, Cuttings, Division
•Length of Time Seed is Viable: Up to 1 year
•Best Month to Start Seeds: Late winter to early spring
•Seed Treatments: Light to germinate, some stratification may improve germination rates