Verbena hastata, Blue Vervain

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Verbena hastata is another native wildflower that sometimes has a reputation as an undesirable weed because it is typically left uneaten in overgrazed pastures. However, it attracts both native bees and butterflies, and makes a lovely tall accent in the perennial flower garden or rain garden.

Cultivation

Blue Vervain is not terribly picky (it has a C-value of 4 classing it as not quite a weedy pioneer species) except in its preference for moisture. In Floyd, hilltops may not work well, nor dry understory conditions, but many average sunny garden sites should do fine. It lives as a short-lived perennial, self-sowing freely. Under ideal conditions it can form perennial stands by spreading through rhizomes. However, it does not compete well against very aggressive meadow plants and so can benefit from cultivation now that invasive species and mowing have changed the dynamics in many wild meadow places in Floyd County. Verbena hastata grows 3′ to 6′ tall (the flower spikes are included in the overall height and stand dramatically above the foliage in branching candelabra like clusters bearing vertical flower spikes with tiny individual blue-purple flowers which bloom from the bottom to the top a few at a time from summer to early fall.

Ecology

Verbena hastata is recognized of Special Value to Native Bees by the Xerces Society and is actually a host plant for a few species of moth and butterfly, including the lovely Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia) which really deserves a better name given how pretty it is!

Human Uses

From Wildflower.org: “In ancient times the plant was thought to be a cure-all among medicinal plants and the genus name is Latin for “sacred plant.” Also from Wildflower.org: “This plant has been used for many years as a medicinal herb for treating convalescents and people suffering from depression, headaches, jaundice, cramps, coughs and fevers. Externally, it has been applied to wounds, ulcers and acne. Swamp vervain can, however, interere with blood pressure medication and hormone therapy, and large doses cause vomiting and diarrhea. (Kershaw)”