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Phyla nodiflora - Capeweed

Phyla nodiflora
Capeweed, Creeping Vervain, Turkey tangle, Matgrass, Carpet Grass

4,7/5
40 reviews
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1 reviews

The plants I received are in great condition! The plants are packed in a sturdy cardboard box, plenty of leaves, very moist root balls. Planted them as soon as they arrived, waiting for them to establish...

Yorick, 08/11/2024

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This plant carries a 12 months recovery warranty

More information

Value-for-money
One of the best alternatives to grass in dry and trampled soil. This small perennial quickly forms extensive, very shallow, semi-evergreen mats, tinged with grey-green. In spring, countless lilac flowers appear, which bees love. Truly undemanding but moderately hardy, it thrives in full sun or partial shade.
Flower size
2 cm
Height at maturity
5 cm
Spread at maturity
60 cm
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -12°C
Soil moisture
Dry soil, Moist soil
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Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time February to April, September to October
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Flowering time May to June
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Description

Phyla nodiflora, also known as Lippia nodiflora or Lippia repens, is one of the best alternatives to a grass lawn in dry soils, even in heavily trafficked areas. This small perennial quickly forms extensive, very low-growing mats with foliage that is more or less evergreen depending on the climate.  It is remarkably dense, and of a soft grey-green hue. In spring, countless small clusters of lilac-pink flowers appear, which bees adore. They often continue to bloom until September. It is a truly undemanding plant, but its hardiness can sometimes be challenged in colder regions. It thrives in both full sun and partial shade, in well-drained soil.

 

Phyla nodiflora is a small perennial widely spread in the eastern Mediterranean Basin and Asia Minor, as well as in many regions with a dry and hot subtropical climate. It is a close relative of verbenas, sharing its membership in belonging to the verbena family. The plant, usually deciduous but sometimes evergreen in mild climates, quickly forms extensive mats that can reach heights of 1 to 10 cm (0.5 to 4in) depending on moisture and shade conditions, covering an area of 1 square metre or even more. The stems root at each node where they touch the ground, colonising all available space. The very nectar-rich flowers appear in May-June and sometimes continue throughout the summer if the soil remains somewhat moist. The small pale pink to lilac flowers are in 1 to 3 cm (0.5 to 1in) diameter clusters, carried by very short stems just above the foliage. When the summer is very dry, the foliage partially dries out, but this is not fatal to the plant, which will green up again with the first rains. It is hardy to -10 to -12°C (14 to 10.4°F).

 

Plant Phyla nodiflora en masse in a small area where you would like a lawn but the soil is very dry.  This plant tolerates heavy foot traffic and can go without watering for 2 to 3 months. In this use, it can be paired with other creeping perennials with similar growth cycles, such as Achillea crithmifolia, Frankenia laevis, Zoysia tenuifolia, or Dichondra repens. It can also be planted on top of walls or in the gaps between their stones, in rock gardens of course, but also along the edge of a staircase, accompanied by Erigeron karvinskianus, thymes, or dwarf artemisias, for example. It also pairs very well with perennials and shrubs for dry soil on a slope (lavenders, cistus, rosemary, brooms, cerastostigma, valerian), and protects them from weeds.

Phyla nodiflora - Capeweed in pictures

Phyla nodiflora - Capeweed (Flowering) Flowering
Phyla nodiflora - Capeweed (Foliage) Foliage

Flowering

Flower colour mauve
Flowering time May to June
Inflorescence Corymb
Flower size 2 cm
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators
Flowering description Flowering is very melliferous. The flowers can be mowed without harming the plant.

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour green
Aromatic? Fragrant foliage when creased

Plant habit

Height at maturity 5 cm
Spread at maturity 60 cm
Growth rate very fast

Botanical data

Genus

Phyla

Species

nodiflora

Family

Verbenaceae

Other common names

Capeweed, Creeping Vervain, Turkey tangle, Matgrass, Carpet Grass

Origin

Mediterranean

Product reference809641

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Planting and care

Lippia nodiflora can be planted in full sun or partial shade, in any well-drained soil. Plant four young plants per square metre to sufficiently cover the ground in one year, or eight plants per square metre to achieve groundcover more quickly. It is undemanding in terms of soil type, and can tolerate limestone as well as sea spray. Its hardiness does not exceed -10 to -12°C (14 to 10.4°F). This plant can withstand a lack of water, but it will be greener and have more flowers with watering every 10 to 15 days in summer. A slow-release fertiliser applied twice a year will enhance its already very fast growth. The mat can be mowed once a year, after flowering or during it if the presence of bees is bothersome. Due to the abundance of bees, it is preferable to plant this Phyla in an area away from children's play areas and swimming pools.

 

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Planting period

Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time February to April, September to October

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Rockery, Woodland edge
Type of use Edge of border, Container, Slope
Hardiness Hardy down to -12°C (USDA zone 8a) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 5 per m2
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Neutral, Calcareous
Soil type Chalky (poor, alkaline and well-drained), Silty-loamy (rich and light), Stony (poor and well-drained)
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil, Well-drained

Care

Pruning No pruning necessary
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground
4,7/5

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