Verbenas or Vervains (all)

Excellent pollinator and butterfly flower. Each packet will contain around 500 seeds.   Brought to England from South America around 1725. Endless purple flowers sit above strong stems with dark green leaves all summer and into early fall.  Thrives in warm dry soil, very easy to grow. Great for borders where height is needed. Tender perennial, typically grown as an annual, 3-4' tall.  Botanical name: Verbena bonariensis or aka Purple Top Characteristics:  Self-seeding annual plants grow to 3-4 feet tall Purple flowers are tolerant of light frosts Easy to grow, thrive in dry soil Great for use in border plantings or as a cut flower This variety will grow well in most regions of the United States and can be grown as a tender perennial in warm climates. 1/10th gram or about 500 seeds per packet  Instructions: Sow seeds indoors just beneath the surface of the soil. Seed is slow to germinate and sensitive to excess moisture. Plant out after the danger of frost has passed in late spring. Makes an excellent cut flower. Start Indoors: 8-12 weeks before the last frost Germination: 14-28 Days Plant Outdoors: 18-24” Apart Light: Full Sun       Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability

Hoary Vervain is a beautiful native that thrives in woodland edges, prairies with rich and loam or in most gardens.  Hoary Vervain is a perennial that reseeds itself as it is short-lived and lives for four or five years.  This is the host plant for the Common Buckeye Butterfly. Wildlife such as birds, butterflies and bees are attracted to it while deer do not bother it much. It is native to much of the United States.  USDA Zones 4-8. grows to 2-4'  Botanical name: Verbena Stricta Characteristics:  Perennial and hardy to zone 4 Plants grow to 4' tall Prefersmost and rich soils Blooms in July through September  Host plant for Common Buckeye Butterfly 1/2 gram, ~500 eeds per packet  Instructions - Sow seeds indoors in flats 1/4" deep, moisten the soil, cover with plastic, and refrigerate for 30 days. Thereafter, provide light and 50-75°F. This moist stratification is not absolutely necessary but will help to increase germination.  Alternatively sow before frosts end in late winter or early spring, or sow in late fall.   Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of the availability

Blue Vervain is a wonderful native that thrives in moist settings, woodland edges, prairies with rich and moist loam or in most gardens. It is often used in rain gardens, retention areas, waterland restorations, banks of streams, creeks or ponds. Blue Vervain is a bienniel that easily reseeds every year.  It is a medicinial sought after by herbalists. Wildlife such as birds, butterflies and bees are attracted to it while deer do not bother it much. It is native to much of the United States.  USDA Zones 3-8. grows to 2-4'  Botanical name: Verbena Hostata Characteristics:  Perennial and hardy to zone 3 Plants grow to 4' tall Prefersmost and rich soils Blooms in July through September  1/4 gram, ~500 eeds per packet  Instructions - Sow seeds indoors in flats 1/4" deep, moisten the soil, cover with plastic, and refrigerate for 30 days. Thereafter, provide light and 50-75°F. This moist stratification is not absolutely necessary but will help to increase germination.  Alternatively sow before frosts end in late winter or early spring, or sow in late fall.   Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of the availability