Verbena hastata, commonly known as Blue Vervain, is a native perennial found in wet prairies, streambanks, marshes, and moist meadows throughout Illinois. It thrives in moist, well-drained soils and full sun to partial shade.
This plant features tall, slender stems with lance-shaped, toothed leaves and produces branching spikes of small, bright blue to violet flowers that bloom from mid to late summer. The flowers open gradually from the base upward and attract a wide variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects. It can reach heights of up to 5 feet, creating a striking vertical accent in wetland plantings.
For Illinois native plant enthusiasts, Verbena hastata is an excellent choice for rain gardens, wetland restorations, and pollinator-friendly landscapes. It offers vibrant color, supports wildlife, and contributes to the health and diversity of moist native ecosystems.
Verbena hastata, commonly known as Blue Vervain, is a native perennial found in wet prairies, streambanks, marshes, and moist meadows throughout Illinois. It thrives in moist, well-drained soils and full sun to partial shade.
This plant features tall, slender stems with lance-shaped, toothed leaves and produces branching spikes of small, bright blue to violet flowers that bloom from mid to late summer. The flowers open gradually from the base upward and attract a wide variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects. It can reach heights of up to 5 feet, creating a striking vertical accent in wetland plantings.
For Illinois native plant enthusiasts, Verbena hastata is an excellent choice for rain gardens, wetland restorations, and pollinator-friendly landscapes. It offers vibrant color, supports wildlife, and contributes to the health and diversity of moist native ecosystems.
Bloom: mid- to late summer
Habitats: borders of rivers and ponds; ditches; fence rows; marshes; moist meadows in floodplain woodlands; pastures; riverbottom prairies; soggy thickets
Lifespan: perennial
Moisture: moist
Plant type (height): forb (up to 5 feet)
Requirements: full sun to partial sun
Soil: fertile loam; wet muck
