Verbena stricta
Hoary vervain Description:
Verbena stricta, commonly known as Hoary Vervain, is a herbaceous perennial plant that is native to North America. It can be found in prairies, meadows, and along roadsides in the central and eastern parts of the United States.
Hoary Vervain typically grows 1 to 3 feet tall and has a clump-forming habit. It has narrow, lance-shaped leaves that are covered with fine hairs, giving them a grayish appearance. In mid-summer to early fall, the plant produces spikes of small, purple to blue flowers that are highly attractive to pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
Verbena stricta is an excellent plant for naturalizing in a meadow garden or wildflower meadow, and it is highly tolerant of drought and heat. It prefers a well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade and can be used in borders, rock gardens, or as a specimen plant. The plant is deer-resistant and can be easily grown from seed or transplants. The attractive flowers and grayish foliage make it a beautiful addition to any garden or landscape.
Native Range:
Hoary vervain can be found across most of the continental United States with a concentration in the Central US. In Minnesota, Hoary vervain is most commonly found in the central and Southern portions of the state.
Standard Plant Information:
Plant Height: 1' - 3'
Bloom Time: June - September
Preferred Habitat: Does well in full sun and often found in dry fields, prairies, and roadsides.
Sowing:
For most homeowners, the best option is to scatter seed on the ground by hand broadcasting at a minimum of 16-64 pls ounces per acre. For even coverage, we recommend that you broadcast seed in perpendicular rows across the site to ensure even coverage.
You’ll want to broadcast any grass seed first, which will get raked into the soil lightly. Next, it is ideal to mulch the area lightly with either a clean (no seed) straw or preferably with our native Little Bluestem straw, sold at our retail garden centers. After a light mulching is complete, now it’s time to broadcast your native wildflower seeds, which should not be raked into the soil. A good rain or watering is sufficient to cover the seed.
Planting:
Simply dig a hole in the soil slightly larger than the plant’s roots. Ensure that the soil line of the plant is maintained during the transfer (i.e. the plant should be at the same level with the ground as it was in the pot). Pack any loose dirt back around the plant and make sure you water it well the same day to ensure it has the best chance of survival.
maps used with permission from MN Wildflowers