Description
Verbena stricta, commonly called hoary vervain, is a native perennial forb (wildflower). It grows in a narrow clump to 2-4’ tall and features blue-purple flowers. Blooms May to September.
Wildlife notes
Many kinds of insects are attracted to the flowers, including long-tongued bees, green metallic bees, thread-waisted wasps, bee flies, thick-headed flies, butterflies, and skippers. Various songbirds eat the seeds, including the Cardinal (winter), Slate-Colored Junco (winter), Field Sparrow, and others. It is possible that these birds help to distribute the seeds to new areas.
Forage notes
Livestock rarely eat Hoary Vervain because the foliage is quite hairy and bitter. It is considered an ‘increaser’ in overgrazed pastures.
Landscaping notes
Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. In rich loamy soil, it will grow well, but has difficulty competing with other plants. Often will naturalize by self-seeding to form colonies. Remove the spent flowering spikes before seed matures to prevent any unwanted self-seeding. Easily grown from seed. Plants usually bloom in the second year after seeding. Good drought tolerance.
Borders, meadows, prairies, wild or native plant gardens.
Restoration notes
Habitats include upland prairies, gravel prairies, hill prairies, barrens with stunted shrubby vegetation, limestone glades, overgrazed pastures, abandoned fields, the grassy shoulders of highway overpasses, and areas along railroads. Hoary Vervain favors low grassy areas with a history of disturbance, particularly from grazing.
This plant is commonly used in the following mixes: Wildlife Chuckwagon Mix, Butterfly & Hummingbird Mix