Snowball Sand Verbena

(Abronia fragrans)

Snowball Sand Verbena (Abronia fragrans)

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Estimated Native Range
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Summary

Abronia fragrans, commonly known as Snowball Sand Verbena, is an herbaceous perennial with an upright or sprawling growth habit. It is native to the prairies, plains, and open woodlands of the central United States. This plant reaches 8–40 inches (20–102 cm) in height and grows from a deep taproot with sticky, hairy stems ranging from 7.1 inches to 3.3 feet (18–100 cm) long. The flowers are composed of 4 to 5 petaloid sepals and sepaloid bracts with a tubular corolla, borne in clusters of 25 to 80 at the stem ends. The blossoms are typically white but may have green, lavender, or pink tinges. Notably, the flowers open in the evening and close in the morning, a characteristic of the Nyctaginaceae family, also known as Four O’clocks. The plant’s flowering season extends through the summer months, and its flowers are quite showy and fragrant, making it a desirable addition to gardens.

Snowball Sand Verbena is valued for its attractive blossoms and sweet fragrance, which serve to attract butterflies and other pollinators. It is often used in rock gardens, borders, and as a ground cover in xeriscaping due to its low water requirements. It thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers well-drained soils. While it is generally easy to maintain, it can be susceptible to root rot if overwatered. This plant is also appreciated for its drought tolerance and can be a good choice for gardeners seeking low-maintenance, drought-resistant plants.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Herb
  • Height: 1-3 feet
  • Width: 1-3 feet
  • Growth Rate: Rapid
  • Flower Color: White
  • Flowering Season: Summer
  • Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
  • Water: Low
  • Drainage: Fast

Common Uses

Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Butterfly Garden, Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Fragrant, Groundcover, Low Maintenance, Rock Garden, Showy Flowers

Natural Habitat

Native to prairies, plains, and open woodlands of the central United States

Other Names

Common Names: Heart’s-Delight, Prairie Snowball, Sweet Sand Verbena, Fragrant Sand-Verbena, Fragrant White Sand-Verbena, Sweet Sand-Verbena

Scientific Names: , Abronia fragrans, Abronia texana, Abronia nudata, Abronia fragrans var. glaucescens, Abronia robusta, Abronia glaucescens, Abronia speciosa,

GBIF Accepted Name: Abronia fragrans Nutt. ex Hook.