Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata)

Blue vervain (Verbena hastata) is a perennial plant native to North America. It belongs to the family Verbenaceae and is also known as swamp verbena, wild hyssop, and simpler's joy.

The blue vervain plant can grow up to 6 feet tall and has slender stems with small leaves that are toothed and pointed. The flowers are small and blue-violet, growing in long spikes at the top of the stem. The plant blooms in mid-summer to early fall.

Blue vervain is known for its medicinal uses and has been used in traditional medicine. It is believed to have relaxing effects and is used to treat anxiety, depression, and insomnia. It is also used to relieve menstrual cramps and other types of pain.

In addition to its medicinal uses, blue vervain is a decorative plant in gardens and a popular choice for attracting butterflies and other pollinators. It prefers moist soil and is often found growing in wet meadows, streams, and other damp habitats.

Blue Vervain: Verbena hastata is a pretty perennial flower, prized by gardeners across the United States for its casual good looks and ability to flourish in highly humid, sunny conditions.

If you have never heard of blue vervain, perhaps you know it as one of its other common names. Some gardeners may call it one of the following:

• Blue verbena
• Simplers joy
• Swamp verbena
• Swamp vervain

This species is a North American native wildflower, growing naturally in sunny meadows near ponds, creeks, and on riverbanks and marshlands. This wildflower's affinity for tolerating clay, sand, and other high-humidity conditions makes it ideal for a water garden or as an ornamental on the banks of a pond.

As a native species, Verbena hastata requires almost no care if you plant it in the correct location--full-sun to partial-sun with moist soil.

The Natural Beauty of Blue Vervain Adds Color to a Moist, Sunny Spot

Verbena hastata forms sturdy, upright stems that can grow to an average mature height of three to five feet. Each stem has large, opposing green leaves that are long and narrow in shape. The edges of each leaf have a slightly toothy-looking appearance.

While the stems and leaves attract, the tubular flowers steal the show. Delicate purple flowers form on a tall spike at the top of the stem--opening at the bottom first and working their way up. These flowers have a long blooming cycle, starting in the middle of summer and lasting until the end of summer, with only a few petite individual blossoms opening at any given time.

Despite the plant's name, the flowers are not blue but blue-violet to purple. The flowers have a fantastic light floral aroma that is unforgettable but not overpowering.

Order Your Verbena hastata From TN Nursery Today

Consider blue vervain if you have a creek, stream, pond, or water garden on your property that needs a full-sun to partial-sun-loving plant. It will flourish in those conditions. Order your Verbena hastata from TN Nursery today.