Blue Vervain - Native

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 seeds 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