Phyla nodiflora var. canescens - Capeweed

Phyla nodiflora var. canescens is distinguished from Lippia nodiflora or classic Lippia repens mainly by its paler flowers. This small, perennial, creeping plant is one of the best alternatives to a grass lawn in dry soils, even in high-traffic areas. Through its stems, which root upon contact with the ground, Phyla quickly forms extensive, very low and dense mats, more or less evergreen in winter depending on the climate. In spring, countless small clusters of very light pink flowers appear, which bees love. It is a particularly undemanding plant, but whose hardiness is sometimes lacking in cold regions. It thrives in the sun, but also in partial shade, in well-drained soil.

Phyla nodiflora var. canescens is a perennial native to South America, widespread in the eastern Mediterranean Basin, Asia Minor, and in many regions with a dry and hot subtropical climate. It is a close relative of verbenas, belonging to the verbena family. The plant, usually deciduous, occasionally evergreen in mild climates, forms a mat 1 to 10 cm (0.4 to 4in) tall depending on humidity and shade conditions, covering a surface area of 1 m² or more. The stems root at each node upon contact with the ground, colonising all available space. The flowering, which is very attractive to bees, begins in May-June and sometimes continues throughout the summer if the soil remains somewhat moist. The small flowers, almost white with a dark centre, are grouped in clusters 1 to 3 cm (0.4 to 1in) in diameter, borne on very short stems just above the foliage. When the summer is very dry, the foliage partially dries out, without being fatal to the plant.  The plant will green up again with the first rains. It is hardy to -8 to -10°C (17.6 to 14°F).

Plant Phyla nodiflora var. canescens en masse, in a small space with dry soil, where you would like a lawn.  This plant tolerates heavy foot traffic and can go without watering for two to three months. In these conditions, it can be associated with other creeping perennials with similar growth cycles: 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 rockeries of course, but also along the edge of steps, accompanied by Erigeron karvinskianus, thymes, or dwarf artemisias, for example. It also pairs well on a slope with perennials and shrubs that thrive in dry soil (lavenders, cistuses, rosemarys, brooms, Cerastostigma, valerian), protecting them from weeds.