Prostrate Verbena: What You Need to Know About This Low-Growing Annual
If you’ve stumbled across the name prostrate verbena (Verbena officinalis var. prostrata) in your gardening research, you might be wondering whether this low-growing annual deserves a spot in your garden. Let’s dive into what we know about this interesting little plant and explore some alternatives that might better serve both you and your local ecosystem.
What is Prostrate Verbena?
Prostrate verbena is exactly what its name suggests – a low-growing, spreading variety of the common verbena. As an annual forb (that’s garden-speak for a soft-stemmed, non-woody plant), it completes its entire life cycle in just one growing season. Unlike its taller cousins, this prostrate form hugs the ground, making it quite different from the upright verbenas you might be more familiar with.
Native Status and Distribution
Here’s where things get interesting – and a bit concerning for native plant enthusiasts. Prostrate verbena is not native to North America. It’s an introduced species that has naturalized in some areas, currently documented in New York state. While it reproduces on its own in the wild, we don’t have clear information about whether it’s considered invasive or problematic for native ecosystems.
The Mystery Plant Dilemma
Here’s the honest truth about prostrate verbena: there’s surprisingly little specific information available about this particular variety. We know it’s annual, we know it grows low to the ground, and we know it’s not native – but details about its growing requirements, wildlife benefits, and garden performance are scarce.
This lack of information actually tells us something important: this isn’t a commonly cultivated or well-studied garden plant. When a plant doesn’t have readily available growing guides or enthusiastic gardener reviews, it’s often because there are better alternatives out there.
Should You Plant It?
While we can’t definitively say prostrate verbena is harmful, the combination of its non-native status and the mystery surrounding its ecological impact gives us pause. As responsible gardeners, we have an opportunity to make choices that support local wildlife and ecosystems.
Better Native Alternatives
Instead of taking a chance on prostrate verbena, consider these fantastic native ground-covering options:
- Wild ginger – Perfect for shady spots with heart-shaped leaves
- Wild strawberry – Edible berries and three-leaflet foliage
- Wintergreen – Glossy evergreen leaves and red berries
- Native violets – Cheerful flowers and heart-shaped leaves
- Partridgeberry – Trailing evergreen with red berries
The Bottom Line
Prostrate verbena might seem like an interesting addition to your garden, but with so many unknowns about its ecological impact and so many proven native alternatives available, why take the risk? Native plants are guaranteed to support local pollinators, birds, and other wildlife while being perfectly adapted to your local climate conditions.
Your garden is a chance to create habitat and support biodiversity. By choosing well-researched native species over mysterious non-natives, you’re making a choice that benefits both your garden’s success and your local ecosystem’s health. Sometimes the best gardening decision is knowing what not to plant – and prostrate verbena might just fall into that category.
