Family: Verbenaceae
Name: Verbena hastata
Bloom Time: July-September
Flower: lavender purple
Soil Condition: average, moist, wet
Light: sun, partial shade
Height: 24-60"
Native Range: Eastern North America
Zone: 3-8
Photos (KMS Native Plants): First: flower form, Middle: Louisiana Painted Dark Bee and flower, Third: Arcigera flower moth
Blue vervain is a lovely addition to any garden or planter. Although it is short-lived, it will self-sow readily in the garden. It will also spread slowly by rhizomes (underground stems). It is a perfect choice for the 'cottage garden' look. The flower is a fantastic nectar source for our native bees, wasps, butterflies, flowerflies, moths, and hummingbirds. The candelabra-shaped panicle of flowers also adds some whimsy to the garden. Although it prefers very moist to wet soil, it can tolerate a drier habitat. This adaptability makes it great for rain gardens. Rabbits may nibble young foliage.
Maintenance: none necessary but pinching early in the season will promote bushier growth, more branching, and more flowers
Benefits: nectar source, pollinators, hummingbirds, specialized bee (verbena bee), long bloom time, host plant, salt tolerant, usually deer resistant due to bitter tasting leaves, songbirds eat the seeds, clay soil tolerant
Fun Facts: drinking 'sacred' vervain tea was said to ward off vampires, and used as a medicinal herb for depression, headaches, cramps, coughs, and fevers
Companion Plants: purple coneflower, (Echinacea purpurea), cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis), great blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica), spotted joe pye weed (Eutrochium maculatum), false sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides), fringed sedge (Carex crinita)
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