Hoary Vervain (Verbena stricta)

Hoary Vervain (Verbena stricta)

Description
Hoary Vervain is a resilient, drought-tolerant prairie plant with upright spikes of vivid, cool toned purple flowers that bloom gradually from the bottom up. From early spring, Hoary Vervain is such an attractive plant thanks to its upright form, eye-catching reddish-purple stems and contrasting silvery foliage. Its fuzzy leaves, which give the plant a frosted or "hoary" appearance, help it resist browsing by deer and rabbits. Growing 2 to 4 feet tall, it stays tidy and vertical throughout the season, adding strong architectural interest and color with its long flowering period (typically 4-6 weeks) to sunny, dry landscapes. 

Growing Conditions

• Light: Full sun

• Soil: Dry to medium, well-drained soils; tolerates poor, sandy or rocky soils

• Height: 2–4 feet

• Spread: 1–2 feet

• Zones: 3–8

• Bloom time: June to September

Wildlife Value
Hoary Vervain is a larval host plant for the Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia), which is occasionally found in Wisconsin. Its nectar-rich flower spikes provide a summer-long food source for native bees, skippers, and small butterflies.

Blooms Alongside spotted bee balm (monarda punctata), purple coneflower (echinacea purpurea) and dense blazing star (liatris spicata)