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Blue Vervain

Verbena hastata

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Category
Forb / Wildflower
Sun
Full to Partial
Soil moisture
Wet to Medium
Bloom time
Jul–Sep
Bloom color
Blue

About Blue Vervain

Blue Vervain is a tall, elegant perennial that is a must-have for any pollinator-focused wetland or meadow project. It is easily identified by its candelabra-like spikes of tiny, deep violet-blue flowers that bloom from the bottom up throughout the summer. Reaching heights of 2 to 6 feet, it adds a vertical pop of color to the landscape from July through September. This hardy species is native across North America and is most at home in moist to wet soils and full sun, though it can tolerate partial shade. It is a true powerhouse for biodiversity, attracting an incredible variety of butterflies, moths, and native bees, while its seeds provide a late-season feast for songbirds. Blue Vervain is easy to establish from seed and is known for its resilience and ability to thrive in heavy clay soils. Whether used in a rain garden or a traditional perennial border, it provides long-lasting beauty and exceptional ecological value.

Native range

Native to 49 states:

AlabamaArkansasArizonaCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutD.C.DelawareFloridaGeorgiaIowaIdahoIllinoisIndianaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMassachusettsMarylandMaineMichiganMinnesotaMissouriMississippiMontanaNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaNebraskaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNevadaNew YorkOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVirginiaVermontWashingtonWisconsinWest VirginiaWyoming

County range map

BONAP county-level native range map for Verbena hastata

Range map courtesy of BONAP (Biota of North America Program).

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