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Herbaceous Perennial

Verbena hastata

American blue vervain

an upright, clump-forming perennial with narrow leaves up to 15cm long. Spikes of small, violet-blue to pinkish-purple flowers are carried on tall, branched, candelabra-like stems from early summer to early autumn

Other common names
American simpler's joy
blue vervain
see moreironweed
wild hyssop
Synonyms
Verbena pinnatifida

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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1–2 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Purple Green
Autumn Purple Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

West–facing or South–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Drought resistance
Yes
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Verbenaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Verbena can be annuals, perennials or sub-shrubs, with toothed or pinnately lobed leaves and small, usually 5-petalled, salver-shaped flowers, typically held in spikes or panicles, in summer or autumn

Name status

Correct

Plant range
N America

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in a moist but well-drained moderately fertile soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed, division or softwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Prairie planting
  • Architectural
  • Gravel garden
  • Low Maintenance
  • Banks and slopes
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Wall side borders
Pruning

Cut down after flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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