Blue Vervain
Verbena hastata
Summary
The tall, candelabra-like flower spikes of blue vervain provide a striking vertical accent among other garden plants. The soft lavender-blue flowers open from bottom to top and bloom for weeks on end. A good choice for a rain garden, this wetland-adapted plant can withstand flooding and short periods of standing water. Indigenous peoples referred to blue vervain as “herb of grace” and used it to promote peace and calm. Its lovely blooms and easy-going nature could do the same for your garden!
More Details
FAMILY
Verbenaceae (Vervain)
BLOOM TIME
July-August
FLOWER
Blue-violet
MATURE SIZE
3-6 feet
LIGHT REQUIREMENT
Sun to part sun
SOIL CONDITIONS
Average to wet
NATIVE STATUS
PA Native
Ecosystem Connections
Blue vervain produces large quantities of nectar over a long period, and most insects are attracted for that reason. Both long- and short-tongued bees collect the nectar and sometimes the pollen. Other visitors include butterflies (especially skippers), cuckoo bees, miner bees, sweat bees, and the verbena bee (a specialist pollinator). In addition, the thread-waisted wasp, bee flies, thick-headed flies and golden soldier beetle are known to visit blue vervain. It’s the larval host plant for the verbena moth and the common buckeye butterfly. Birds such as cardinals, sparrows, and juncos eat the seeds. Cottontail rabbits may eat the foliage; however, most mammals avoid its bitter taste.