Verbena hastata - Blue Vervain or Swamp Verbena
DESCRIPTION
Blue Vervain or Swamp VerbenaVerbena hastata
Tall, slender stems hold up 5 to 6-inch spikes of the most beautiful, lavender blue, flowers that bloom for several months! Some say the flower spikes are reminiscent of candelabras. The flowers attract butterflies and it is a host plant for the Common Buckeye butterfly. Don’t cut them back before spring because Cardinals, Sparrows and Junco’s enjoy eating the seed. This is an easy perennial to grow in bright sun with moist soil. It looks especially nice in rain gardens or along a ponds edge. Amazingly, blue vervain is native to every state in the U.S.
Benefits
- Attracts butterflies for several months each summer
- Songbirds like Cardinals, Sparrows and Juncos eat the seed
- This is a host plant for the Common Buckeye butterfly
- A beautiful addition to a rain garden
- Looks terrific grown at the pons edge between sedges and rushes
- Flowers for nearly 3 months!
NATIVE INFO
Native Range
Verbena hastata can be found in wet meadows, wet river bottomlands, stream banks and fields.
Map Credit: The Biota of North America
Map Key: Green (native), Teal (native, adventive), Blue (present), Yellow (present & rare), Red (extinct)
INTERESTING FACTS
In ancient times the plant was thought to be a cure-all among medicinal plants. Blue vervain has been used by herbalists for over 3000 years in Europe, Africa, and Asia.
GROWING TIPS
Easily grown in average, medium to wet soils in full sun. It can be short-lived but will reseed itself in good locations.
Mature Size: 2-5ft. Tall x 1-3ft. Wide
Hardiness Zone: 3-9
Sun Exposure: Full Sun
VIDEO
Coming Soon!American Beauties Offer Solution Based Plant Collections to Help you Choose
Quick Tips for Choosing Plants:
- Planting a variety of native trees, shrubs, perennials and vines increases biodiversity and gives wildlife a source for food, cover and nesting
- Choose a mixture of deciduous and evergreen trees so birds and other wildlife will always be able to find shelter
- Plant trees and large shrubs where they will block winter winds from the house and shade it in summer, that will save energy and lower your carbon footprint
- Try your best to buy plants that were grown locally, your independent garden center will be your best bet
- Think about ultimate height and width of the plant you choose, make sure it will fit the space you have for it when it's reached maturity
- Plant nectar plants in groups, to attract butterflies and other beneficial insects more easily
- Ask for help if you need it. Most garden centers either have a landscape designer on staff or they can give you a reference of a designer that is adept at native plant wildlife gardening. There will be upfront costs but they are small when compared to having to redo a landscape that wasn't what you really wanted
Our Plant Tags Hold the Secrets to Success
Choosing the right plants for your garden can seem like a daunting task but we’re here to help. Our horticulturists have spent a considerable amount of time researching and writing our beautiful, American Beauties plant tags to help you be successful. First of all, when you see an American Beauties branded pot at your garden center you can be confident that the plant is native to your area and a responsible choice.
When you look at our tag you’ll find information about the plants natural habitat. That will give you a clue to how it will work in your backyard. For instance if the plant is naturally founded and moist, shade and you have full sun, it’s not the plant for you. The “Features” section gives you an overview or plant description so you’ll know what to expect. While the “Benefits” section talks about the plants strong suits and how the plant will benefit wildlife.
A Special Note About Exposure
Full sun: Prefers six or more hours of direct sunshine a day
Partial shade: Thrives in three to six hours of daily sunshine
Shade: Generally does well with less than three hours of sun per day. Having said that even shade loving plants will struggle in extremely deep shade.
DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES
Best Plants for Bees - Double sided printout for download
Best Plants for Butterflies - Double sided printout for download