Lippia (Fogfruit) – Phyla nodiflora (FY-luh no-dee-FLOR-uh)

Family: Verbenaceae (Verbena Family) Native to: Southern half of U.S. to tropics. In CA, moist, lowland areas of Los Angeles County and the S. Channel Islands; moist places including ditches, roadsides, fields and beaches. Growth characteristics: herbaceous perennial mature height: 6 in. mature width: 1-3 ft. Spreading, mostly herbaceous perennial. Fast growing, forming a dense groundcover. Leaves lance-shaped to oval, light green with red or purple, may be toothed. Dormant in cold winters. Blooms/fruits: Blooms off and on from May until Oct. Small white flowers open sequentially along a short blooming stalk (typical of Verbena family); youngest flowers are pink-purple. Many flower clusters bloom at once, carpeting the foliage. Very pretty. Excellent plant for many pollinators. Uses in the garden: Best used as a groundcover; often used as lawn substitute in moist tropics and may be mowed occasionally if desired. Grows around pavers, making it a good choice for walkways; can tolerate some foot traffic. Lovely in planters, pots, and hanging baskets. Does well on slopes, parking strips and around rain gardens of dry swales. Often grown in habitat gardens, around lawn. Sensible substitute for: Non-native groundcover plants like Ajuga. Attracts: Excellent pollinator habitat: provides nectar and pollen for wide range of bees, butterflies and other native pollinators. Larval food source for Common Buckeye butterfly. Requirements: Element Requirement Sun Full sun (best) with water; tolerates part-shade but fewer blooms. Soil Any local soil, including poorly drained; wide pH tolerance. Water Best with moderate to regular water (Water Zone 2-3 to 3) but OK with Zone 2. Fertilizer Probably not needed, except in containers. Other Tolerates heat, seasonal flooding, salinity. Management: Plant is a spreader – plant where appropriate or cut back/edge regularly. If desired, may be mowed (4 inches) occasionally; mow only when not in bloom. Propagation: from seed: likely by cuttings: easy from divisions Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 2, 8, 46 12/29/14

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