Blue vervain (Verbena hastata) is a wildflower
that is native to North America. This particular plant is often seen growing in
moist, grassy meadows and along streams and roadsides where it brightens the
landscape with spiky, bluish-purple blooms from midsummer to early autumn.
Furthermore, this plant is also known
as American blue vervain or wild hyssop. Blue vervain grows wild in nearly
every part of the United States. This plant is actually a cold tolerant
perennial that does not do well in climates warmer than USDA plant hardiness
zone 8. This plant is a traditional medicinal herb, with the roots, leaves or
flowers that is used to treat conditions ranging from stomach aches, colds and
fever to headaches, bruises and arthritis. Moat Native Americans of the West
Coast normally roast the seeds and ground them into meal or flour. Most times in
the garden, this plant attracts bumblebees and other important pollinators and
the seeds are a source of nutrients for songbirds. This particular plant is
also a good choice for a rain garden or a butterfly garden.
Steps on how to grow Blue
Vervain
This particular plant performs best
in full sunlight and moist, well-drained, moderately rich soil. You can plant
blue vervain seeds directly outdoors in late autumn. Don’t forget that cold
temperatures break the dormancy of the seeds so they are ready to germinate in
spring. Make sure you cultivate the soil lightly and remove weeds. You can sprinkle
the seeds over the surface of the soil, and then use a rake to cover the seeds
no more than 1/8 inch deep. Make sure you water lightly.
How to care for Blue
Vervain Wildflowers
Once the plant is established, they are pest and
disease-resistant plant that requires little care. Make sure you keep the seeds
moist until they germinate. Make sure you supply the plant with one deep
watering per week during warm weather. Also make sure you water deeply if the
top one to two inches of soil feel dry to the touch. Make sure the soil remain
soggy, and also it shouldn’t be allowed to become bone dry. This particular
plant benefits from a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer applied monthly during
the summer. You can also apply a 1- to 3-inch layer of mulch such as bark chips
or compost, this will really help to keep the soil moist and also suppresses the
growth of weeds. And again mulch also protects the roots in cold winter
climates.
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