Blue Vervain

Verbena hastata

Blue Vervain, American vervain, Simpler’s Joy (simpler being an older term for herbalist, a maker of herbal simples) or Swamp Vervain. Verbena hastata is a striking and curious native wild flower with brilliant flashes of violet flowers. To watch blue vervain blossom over the growing season is a true delight for us. Beginning at the base of multi-branched pencil-thin spikes, the delicate flowers ignite and seem to blaze up the length of the spikes day after day, almost like a glowing purple flame. Soon the ground beneath this 3-5’ tall plant will be covered in fallen purple petals. Witness this enchanting festival of color with a prolonged bloom of July through September here in the Northeast.

This North American wild strain of the genus “Verbena” shares healing properties with that of the European Verbena officinalis and is considered interchangeable by many herbalists. A profound nervine tonic. Helpful when healing from stress, chronic fatigue, recovering from viral infection and brings ease to tension stored in the shoulders and neck. Perennial Hardy to Zone 3.

Please note, verbena hasta can stimulate the uterus and is not advised during pregnancy. Large doses doses may induce diarrhea and vomiting and can interact with certain medications.

Medicinal uses of Verbena hastata listed are for informational purposes and not mean as replacement for medical assessment and care by a qualified practitioner such as an herbalist or naturopathic physician.

Sowing and Growing Information:

Cold stratify 8-10 weeks before last frost for 30 days.

Light dependent germinator. Surface sow and keep moist. 14 days to germinate.

Harden off and transplant after last frost in your area. Put a bit of compost and woodash in the planting hole to nourish your plant as it grows. Supplement as needed with compost/nitrogen tea once young plants are well stablished (two weeks after transplanting).

Harvesting Information:

Gather flowering tops to extract fresh in alcohol/glycerin or dry and store for future infusions.