1 to 3 feet
Verbena stricta (Hoary Vervain)

Also known as:Hoary Verbena
Habitat:sun; dry; fields, prairies, roadsides
Bloom season:June – September
Plant height:1 to 3 feet
Wetland Indicator Status:none

How does Hoary Vervain spread?

Habitat: Hoary Vervain prefers full sun in dry to moderate moisture sites such as disturbed areas, prairies, sandy fields – a more dry environment than the other two species noted here. The root system has a taproot and the plant normally spreads by reseeding.

Is Hoary Vervain a perennial?

Verbena stricta, commonly called hoary vervain, is a vigorous, clump-forming perennial that gets its common name from the white pubescence on its gray-green leaves and stems. Ovate, coarsely-toothed, usually stalkless leaves (to 4” long) are covered with whitish hairs.

Is Hoary Vervain medicinal?

Medicinal Uses The plant is thought to be specific for fever and ague[207]. An infusion of the leaves has been used in the treatment of stomach aches[257].

How do you collect hoary vervain seeds?

Harvesting: For cut flowers, choose stems with flowers that have just opened. Strip the foliage that will fall below the water level, and place in water immediately. Seed Saving: As soon as the flowers fade, the slender spikes will begin to turn brown.

Is hoary vervain native to Ontario?

Today’s plant is Hoary Vervain (Verbena stricta). It’s a great drought-tolerant, pollinator-friendly, native plant found across southern Ontario.

How do you plant hoary vervain seeds?

Sowing: Direct sow in late fall, pressing the seed into the surface of the soil. For spring planting, mix the seeds with moist sand and store in the refrigerator for 30 days before planting. Keep the soil lightly moist until germination. Growing: Water seedlings regularly until they become established.

Is Penstemon a foxglove?

Penstemon digitalis (known by the common names foxglove beard-tongue, foxglove beardtongue, talus slope penstemon, and white beardtongue) is a species of flowering plant in the plantain family, Plantaginaceae. The flowers are white and are borne in summer.

Is hoary vervain edible?

Edible uses A tea-like beverage has been made from the leaves.

Can vampires smell vervain?

Humans who ingest vervain also have the added benefit of making their blood unappealing to vampires as a result of the weakness and burns it causes; however, most vampires are unable to tell if a human has been ingesting vervain unless they are somehow able to smell it on them, so it does not always ensure that a human …

Should you deadhead verbena?

Deadhead faded flowers or blooms to ensure that blooming continues all through the gardening season. Some people do not regularly deadhead faded blooms. But, deadheading is necessary if you plant verbena for summer blooms. If the blooms slow, trim the whole plant by a quarter for a new show of flowers in 2 to 3 weeks.

Does verbena come back every year?

Several species of plants fall under the genus Verbena. Although a few of these are annuals and need to be replanted each year, many more are perennials and come back year after year. As a perennial, verbena grows well in zones 7-11, but as an annual in cooler climates and zones.

Is hoary vervain the same as blue vervain?

Notes: Hoary Vervain tends to grow in clumps. It might be confused with Blue Vervain ( Verbena hastata ), which has smaller flowers, stalked leaves that are longer and proportionately much narrower, and prefers moist habitats.

How do you care for hoary vervain?

Cultivation: The preference is full sun and mesic to dry conditions. Generally, Hoary Vervain flourishes in poor soil containing some clay, sand, or gravel. In rich loamy soil, it will grow well, but has difficulty competing with other plants. Drought resistance is good, although some of the lower leaves may shrivel and fall off the plant.

Does hohoary vervain grow in clumps?

Hoary Vervain tends to grow in clumps. It might be confused with Blue Vervain ( Verbena hastata ), which has smaller flowers, stalked leaves that are longer and proportionately much narrower, and prefers moist habitats. Photos by K. Chayka taken at Wild River State Park, Chisago County, and in Ramsey County.

What eats hoary vervain?

The seeds of Verbena spp. are eaten by various songbirds to a limited extent, 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. Mammalian herbivores rarely eat Hoary Vervain because the foliage is quite hairy and bitter.