prairie wildflower
Rose vervain
Glandularia canadensis
Also known as Sweet William, Rose Mock Vervain
1 of 2Native to much of the USA
Illinois south to central Texas, west to Colorado, east to Virginia and Florida
- Light Partial shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Moist Moisture preference
- Zones n/a Cold to heat range
- Bloom Feb–Sep Flowering time
- Height
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A prairie wildflower for partial shade and evenly moist soil.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Pollinators & wildlife
- Butterflies Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
also Black Swallowtail, Pipevine Swallowtail, Variegated Fritillary +5 more
Zabulon Skipper, Clouded Skipper, Eufala Skipper, Agraulis vanillae, Abaeis nicippe - Bees Eastern Carpenter Bee also Western Honey Bee, Augochlora semiramis
- Moths Snowberry Clearwing also Hummingbird Clearwing, Nessus Sphinx
- Also visited by
- Hummingbirds: Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Butterflies that use this plant
Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.
- Black swallowtailnectar
- Eastern tiger swallowtailnectar
- Pipevine swallowtailnectar
- Sleepy orangenectar
- Variegated fritillarynectar
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- PrairieThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- Much of the USAUnited States (23): AL, AR, CO, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MO, MS, NC, NE, NM, OH, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Illinois south to central Texas, west to Colorado, east to Virginia and FloridaThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Partial shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- MoistThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Soil
- Poor, acidic, sandy or rocky, moist but well-drained soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Soil texture
- Light to heavy (sandy to clay)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
- Soil pH
- Acid to neutralThe acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
- Soil quality
- Low (tolerates poor soil)How rich a soil it needs. Many natives prefer lean soil and flop in rich beds.
- Water use
- MediumHow thirsty it is, a rough guide to how often to water.
Growth & form
- Spread
- ~1 ft (0.4 m)How wide one plant gets, a guide to spacing.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
- Growth rate
- ModerateA relative ranking versus other plants of the same type (USDA), not an absolute rate.
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Feb–SepWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- PinkThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- SchizocarpThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.