Blue Vervain
Thrives in Zones 3-9
Attracts beneficial pollinators like butterflies
Supports local wildlife and biodiversity
Thrives in a variety of soil types
Ships in
7-10 DaysThis Is How Your Plants Will Look upon Delivery
Bloom Season
Fall
Bloom/Foliage Color
Purple
Height at Maturity
Over 12"
Care
Blue Vervain thrives in moist, well-drained soil and can tolerate occasional flooding. It benefits from regular watering but should avoid overwatering. Prune dead or damaged stems in early spring to encourage new growth and maintain their shape.
Plant Reproduction
Blue Vervain spreads slowly through rhizomes and by self-seeding.
How to Grow and Care for Bare Root Perennials, Tubers, and Bulbs
Bare root perennials, tubers, and bulbs are an easy and economical way to jumpstart your garden with lasting beauty. These dormant plants should be planted in early spring or fall while the soil is cool and workable. Before planting, soak bare roots in water for 1–2 hours to rehydrate them. Choose a location based on the plant’s light needs—most flowering types prefer full sun, while others thrive in partial shade.
For bare root perennials, dig a shallow hole and spread the roots out naturally, ensuring the crown is level with the soil surface. For tubers and bulbs, plant with the pointed side facing up at a depth about two to three times their height. Cover with soil, gently press down, and water thoroughly.
Keep soil consistently moist (not soggy) until new growth appears. Add mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds, but avoid covering the crown or bulb tops. Once established, these plants require little maintenance—just seasonal watering, occasional dividing, and deadheading or pruning as needed. With proper care, they’ll return and thrive year after year.
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Graceful Appearance:
The tall, slender spikes of Blue Vervain create a graceful vertical element in your garden. This adds a touch of elegance and height, complementing other plants and garden features.
Low Space Requirement:
Its compact growth makes Blue Vervain suitable for smaller gardens and tight spaces. You can enjoy its beauty and color without needing a lot of room.
Bushy Growth Habit:
Blue Vervain features a bushy growth habit with dense foliage, making it perfect for adding structure and fullness to your yard. Its robust appearance creates a more complete and lush garden look.
Compact Size:
The manageable size of Blue Vervain makes it ideal for adding vertical interest without overwhelming smaller garden spaces. It fits well in various garden settings and landscapes.
Blue Vervain Plants | Verbena hastata for Sale Online
The Blue Vervain is native to the mainland United States and parts of Canada. It is commonly found in wet meadow and riparian ecosystems. They are also known by another common name “Soggy Verbena” highlighting just how much these delightful perennials like wet soils.
The inflorescences of this plant are shaped like the head of a spear, which is denoted in the epithet “hastasta” which means “spear-shaped” in Latin. These spears are grouped in panicles at the top of each stem. Each spear produces dozens of endearingly tiny, five-lobed flowers that are violet to purple in color.
While the flowers are delightfully violet-purple, the stem from which the spears and flowers emerge embodies deep red to pink hues, providing a subtle accent color component to the garden.
Blue Vervain Plant Facts | Verbena hastata Growing Info
Family: Verbenaceae
Hardiness Zones: 3–9
Light Requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Water Needs: Moderate to wet
Height: 2 to 6 ft
Spread: 12 to 8 in
Growth Rate: Moderate
Bloom Time: July to September
Flower Color: Blue-violet
Wildlife Value: Attractive to pollinators and the seeds provide food for small mammals
Growing to a height of up to 6 ft, this perennial plant is ideal for the back border of moist garden bed, where it can receive full sun but also not shade the other plants growing nearby. Once established, this plant will form colonies and provide more densely packed flowering spears for your visual pleasure.
In a garden, the flowers of the Blue Vervain are attractive to pollinators and hummingbirds. The seeds are a common food source for small mammals and are important in supporting wildlife in both natural and landscaped ecosystems alike.
How to Grow & Use Blue Vervain in Your Landscape
This plant prefers moist to wet soils and full sun to partial shade conditions. It easily self-seeds and spreads via rhizome, however it is not an aggressive plant and will not outcompete other companions in the garden. This plant is low maintenance with no serious pest and disease problems. It is an ideal plant to use as a border element or can be used in a rain garden given its inclination for wet feet.
Why Gardeners Love Blue Vervain Plants
Attractive to pollinators, seeds provide a food source for wildlife, low maintenance.
Add this charmingly tall, spear-shaped perennial to your rain garden and enjoy the unfurling of thousands of of tiny violet-purple flowers year after year. Shop for Blue Vervain plants online at TN Nursery. For 68 years, we have served the landscaping industry and homeowners with specimen plants.