Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata) is hardy in zones 3-8 and features small, 5-petaled tubular flowers that are blue to violet in color, arranged on pencil-shaped spikes that can grow up to 5 inches long. It serves as a charming vertical garden accent with a long bloom time and makes a lovely cut flowe
The flowers have no noticeable scent, but when crushed, the leaves emit a slight musky odor. Both the pollen and nectar attract pollinators, and it is a host plant for the Common Buckeye butterfly's larvae. The seed heads are also a valuable food source for birds and small mammals.
This plant thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. It reaches a mature height of 2 to 5 feet and has a 12 to 30-inch spread. The leaves are opposite, toothed, and spear-shaped, measuring about 6 inches long and 1 inch wide, with a rough surface. The stems are square, hairy, erect, and branching, and can be either red or green.
The plant prefers moist to wet loamy soil. Companion plants are common boneset, blue flag iris, red cardinal, and joe pye weed.
Historically families from the Middle Ages kept blue vervain in their homes for protection and to ward off lightning.
Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata) is hardy in zones 3-8 and features small, 5-petaled tubular flowers that are blue to violet in color, arranged on pencil-shaped spikes that can grow up to 5 inches long. It serves as a charming vertical garden accent with a long bloom time and makes a lovely cut flowe
The flowers have no noticeable scent, but when crushed, the leaves emit a slight musky odor. Both the pollen and nectar attract pollinators, and it is a host plant for the Common Buckeye butterfly's larvae. The seed heads are also a valuable food source for birds and small mammals.
This plant thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. It reaches a mature height of 2 to 5 feet and has a 12 to 30-inch spread. The leaves are opposite, toothed, and spear-shaped, measuring about 6 inches long and 1 inch wide, with a rough surface. The stems are square, hairy, erect, and branching, and can be either red or green.
The plant prefers moist to wet loamy soil. Companion plants are common boneset, blue flag iris, red cardinal, and joe pye weed.
Historically families from the Middle Ages kept blue vervain in their homes for protection and to ward off lightning.
