Verbena hastata - Blue Vervain

Sizes available: #1 (Trade gallon)

Basics: zone 3-8, 24-60" x 18-24", sun to light shade (but really prefers sun), tiny, numerous purple flowers on a candelabra-type structure in mid to late summer, consistent moisture to wet soils.

Common names: Blue Vervain

Family: Verbenaceae

Origin/Distribution: eastern North America

These plants were grown from seed collected in New England. Verbena hastata is native to Maine.

Habitat: along open stream and river banks, low, damp places in fields, bottomland, ditches, wet meadows, slough edges

More: The flowers open from top to bottom and a few at a time, which prolongs the bloom. Looks really beautiful flowering in a group (as well as swaying in the breeze along with a few grasses that you have thoughtfully planted) and will attract many pollinators. Might self-sow and is a short-lived perennial (some sources say this plant is a biennial). Prefers open ground and does not co-exist well with strong growers like Joe Pye, Helenium, and Monarda. In densely packed planting schemes it will try to migrate to the edges and will fade out if it's too dry or crowded, so site accordingly. Deer resistant. Has been used medicinally. The seeds have been used as an ingredient in pinole, a roasted, dried, and ground grain mixture. The leaves have been used in tea. Will be a textural addition to a flower arrangement. Larval host for the Common Buckeye, Junonia coenia, the Verbena Moth, Crambodes talidiformis, and the Verbena Bud Moth, Endothelia hebesana, all native to Maine.

Source: Van Berkum, from seed collected in New England

Image credits: close up of flower Frank Meuschke of Shelterwood Gardens; Wikimedia Commons