Blue Vervain - Verbena hastata

Phonetic: ver-BEE-nuh hass-TAH-tuh

Blue vervain, is a tall, moisture-loving perennial native to much of North America. It thrives in full sun and tolerates light shade, though maximum bloom occurs with at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. Blue vervain prefers moist to wet soil, often growing naturally in wet meadows, streambanks, ditches, and low prairies. It can tolerate brief flooding but also adapts to average garden soils if it receives consistent moisture. Its preference for sun and damp conditions makes it an ideal choice for rain gardens.

Blue Vervain typically reaches 3 to 6 feet tall, with multiple upright stems bearing narrow, toothed leaves. The plant’s most distinctive feature is its slender spikes of small, purplish-blue flowers arranged in clusters, which bloom from mid to late summer. Each tiny flower opens sequentially from the bottom upward, providing an extended bloom period. Blue vervain spreads by self-seeding rather than through rhizomes, forming loose colonies over time. Its vertical habit and vibrant color add architectural interest to naturalized plantings and wetland edges.

Blue vervain is a powerhouse for native pollinators and wildlife. Its nectar-rich flowers attract bumblebees, long-tongued bees, wasps, skippers, and numerous butterfly species, including monarchs seeking late-season nectar. It also serves as a host plant for the common buckeye and several moth species. Birds such as goldfinches feed on the small seeds in autumn, adding further wildlife value. In gardens, Blue Vervain is ideal for rain gardens, pollinator gardens and the edges of ponds or streams. Its tall, elegant form and ecological importance make it an excellent choice for gardeners aiming to support biodiversity while adding beauty to moist, sunny landscapes.

• Native Region: BONAP Map
• BONAP Map Key Color Guide: Map Color Key
• Sun Exposure:  Full Sun to Partial Shade
• Flower Color:  Blue
• Bloom Time:  June, July, August, September, October
• Soil Type:  Wet- Medium
• Mature Plant Size:  2-6'H, 1-1.5'W
• Plant Spacing:  1'
• Host Plant: common buckeye butterfly
• Attracts:  Bees, Birds, Butterflies
  
• Landscape Uses:  Butterfly garden, cottage gardens, perennial borders, pond and stream edges, wet meadows
• Companion Plants:  Boneset, Joe Pye Weed, Goldenrods