Stephen Albert
Abronia–commonly called sand verbena–is a trailing perennial or annual that bears dense, verbena-like round-topped clusters that can be pink, rose-pink, or purple. Abronia resembles verbena but is not a true verbena.
Abronia is a perennial in mild-winter regions of the Western United States where it is a native. It can be grown as an annual where winters are cold.
Low-growing Abronia is an effective edging for walkways and borders. Because it trails, Abronia can be used in hanging baskets or window boxes or as a potted plant near the edge of balconies. Abronia can be grown in seaside gardens in sandy and dry soil.
Abronia is a genus of about 35 species native to Arizona, Nevada, Southern California, and Baja California.
Get to know Abronia
- Plant type: Herbaceous annuals and perennials
- Growing zones and range: Zones 8-10
- Hardiness: Hardy to Zone 8
- Height and width: 2 to 6 inches (5-15cm) tall and 4 to 6 inches (10-15cm) wide
- Foliage: Mid- to dark green ovate to ovate-linear freshy leaves
- Flowers: Fragrant verbena-like flower clusters about 2-inches across, individual flowers are 1/2 inch across
- Bloom time: Summer
- Uses: Grow in front of a border or trailing in a rock garden; hanging basket, window box
- Common name: Sand verbea
- Botanical name: Abronia
- Family name: Nyctaginaceae
- Origin: Western North America, coastal and desert regions
Where to plant Abronia
- Plant Abronia in full sun.
- Grow Abronia in moderately fertile, sandy soil.
- Abronia can take plenty of sunshine and so is a good choice for rock gardens or seaside gardens. It grows well in light, sandy, rather dry soil.
When to plant Abronia
- Set container-grown Abronia in the garden in spring after the last frost.
- Sow seeds outdoors after the last frost in spring or start seeds indoors 6 weeks before the last frost.
Planting and spacing Abronia
- Space Abronia 6 to 9 inches (15-23cm) apart.
How to water and feed Abronia
- Water Abronia moderately during the growing season; water sparingly in winter.
- Fertilize Abronia with a balanced liquid fertilizer in spring.
Abronia care
- Grow Abronia as an annual where winters are harsh.
Abronia pests and diseases
- Downy mildew, rust, and leaf spot can occur.
Abronia propagation
- Sow Abronia seeds indoors in spring about six weeks before the last frost is due.
- In dry regions, in Zones 9-10, seeds can be sown outdoors in fall
Abronia varieties to grow
- Abronia villosa. Trailing annual grows to 2 inches tall and 6 inches wide with ascending mid to dark green leaves; round,fragrant, purple to rose-pink flowers in dense verbena-like heads.
- A. umbellata. Grows to 6 inches tall; dense, round-topped flwoer clusters about 2 inches across.
