Blue vervain is a native perennial herbaceous plant that grows 3-6 feet tall, produces violet flowers in summer, and attracts many pollinators and birds. It is suitable for pond edges, bog gardens, meadow plantings, and containers where it provides habitat and can also be used medicinally. Blue vervain prefers full sun to part shade and regular water in moist, nutrient-rich soil.

1. *Blue vervain – Verbena hastata (ver-BEE-nuh hass-TAH-tuh)
Family: Verbenaceae (Verbena Family)
Native to: Northern Hemisphere from S. Canada to CA, including California’s Central/northern coast
and foothills. In disturbed places, marshes and other moist areas; wetland-riparian community.
Growth characteristics: herbaceous perennial/biennial mature height:3-6 ft. mature width:1-3 ft.
Tall, erect, herbaceous plant that produces flowers in second year, then dies. Leaves lance-shaped,
coarsely toothed, with no fragrance. Fast-growing. Looks like a wetland plant. May form clumps.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms in the heat of summer – June or July to Sept. Flowers on 2-6 inch spikes,
distributed like a candelabra on the tall flowering stalk. Flowers are small, violet-colored and open
sequentially from bottom to top (long bloom season). Attracts many pollinators. Dramatic!
Uses in the garden: Mostly used around ponds, bog gardens or swales. Lovely natural appearance
to pond edges when planted with native sedges and rushes. Also nice in cottage gardens or meadow
plantings. Excellent habitat plant for both pollinators and birds. Fine for large containers. Leaves
(tea) and roasted seeds edible. Important medicinal plant: externally on wounds and internally for a
range of conditions. All parts of plant used medicinally. Good choice for herb or medicinal garden.
Verbena hastata ‘Blue Spires’ is a cultivar available from seed companies.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native wetland plants, like non-native verbenas.
Attracts: Excellent bird habitat (cover, seeds). Attracts wide range of pollinators from bees and
hummingbirds to butterflies, pollinator flies, moths. Larval food for Common Buckeye butterfly.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun to part-shade (drier conditions).
Soil Most local soils, including sandy; most local pH.
Water Regular water to boggy.
Fertilizer ½ strength dose in spring for containerized plants.
Other
Management: Plant will spread via seed and rhizomes if happy. Deadhead (at least some) if
reseeding is an issue. Other than that, cut back in winter, after birds have eaten seed.
Propagation: from seed: easy with fresh seed by cuttings: ??
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 46, 56, 73 6/19/17
* California native, but not native to Western Los Angeles County © Project SOUND