Culture
Easily grown in average, medium to wet soils in full sun. Typically forms colonies in the wild by both thick, slowly spreading rhizomes and self-seeding. May self-seed in gardens in optimum growing conditions. Can be short-lived.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Verbena hastata, commonly called blue vervain, is a Missouri native perennial which commonly occurs in wet meadows, wet river bottomlands, stream banks, slough peripheries, fields and waste areas throughout the State except for the Ozark region where it is uncommon (Steyermark). It is a rough, clump-forming perennial with a stiff, upright habit which typically grows 2-4' tall (less frequently to 6') on square hairy stems which typically branch above. Features candelabra-like inflorescences of erect, slender, pencil-like spikes (2-6" long) of tiny, tubular, 5-lobed, densely-packed, purplish-blue flowers (1/8" wide) which appear over a long July-September bloom period. Flowers on each spike bloom bottom to top, only a few at a time, and are attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators. Lance-shaped, sharply toothed, green leaves (to 6" long).
Forma rosea is a natural pink form of the species.
Genus name comes from a Latin name used for some plants in religious ceremonies and also in medicine.
Specific epithet means spear-shaped.
'Pink Spires' is an upright, clump-forming perennial with dark green, toothed hairy leaves on 4-angled stems. Its bright pink flowers open from darker pink buds that bloom from the bottom of the stem up. ‘Pink Spires’ grows 3 to 4 ft. tall and 1.5 to 2 ft. wide.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems.
Uses
Borders, meadows, prairies, native plant gardens or informal/naturalized areas.