Culture: Easily grown in average, medium to wet soils in full sun. Typically forms colonies in the wild by both thick, slowly spreading rhizomes and self-seeding. May self-seed in gardens in optimum growing conditions. Can be short-lived.
Noteworthy Characteristics: Verbena hastata, commonly called blue vervain, is a native perennial which commonly occurs in wet meadows, wet river bottomlands, stream banks, slough peripheries, fields and waste areas throughout the State except for the Ozark region where it is uncommon (Steyermark). It is a rough, clump-forming perennial with a stiff, upright habit which typically grows 2-4′ tall (less frequently to 6′) on square hairy stems which typically branch above. Features candelabra-like inflorescences of erect, slender, pencil-like spikes (2-6″ long) of tiny, tubular, 5-lobed, densely-packed, purplish-blue flowers (1/8″ wide) which appear over a long July-September bloom period. Flowers on each spike bloom bottom to top, only a few at a time. Lance-shaped, sharply toothed, green leaves (to 6″ long).
Genus name comes from a Latin name used for some plants in religious ceremonies and also in medicine. Specific epithet means spear-shaped.
Problems: No serious insect or disease problems.
Garden Uses: Borders, meadows, prairies, native plant gardens or informal/naturalized areas.
All plant information courtesy of the Missouri Botanical Garden
Blue Vervain can offer a strong upright accent to any perennial garden or prairie/savanna. The small, tubular, blue-violet flowers bloom from the bottom up in July’s heat. The numerous crowning spikes of blossoms give a candelabra-like appearance to this graceful plant.
Livestock will not eat Verbena so it may be thought of as “weedy” by some who observe it in a pasture setting. In a natural prairie it is not aggressive. In fact, it is a rather short-lived perennial that will not compete well with more aggressive vegetation. It self-seeds readily and is very easy to germinate, so it is a common component of many wet prairie seed mixes. The seeds are a staple for many small mammals and birds that depend on this widely-distributed plant.
As the alternative name Swamp Verbena suggests, this Vervain likes wet, even soggy, conditions but also will grow in medium soils. Full sun to partial sun are its preferred sun conditions.
Price range: $6.00 through $12.00
