Toxic Plant Inconnu - Inadequate information on toxicity found.
Notice: We do not accept seeds that were given before 2025 as they were in fact Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata).
Image of Verbena stricta
Source: USFWS Mountain,Prairie

Plant Names

image of Plante à fleurs
Verbena stricta
Hoary Vervain
Verveine veloutée

Synonyms

mullein-leaved vervain
woolly vervain

Plant Characteristics

Couleur de floraison: Bleu Bloom Period: Jun - Sep
Hauteur max: 2,0 feet
Max Width: 1,0 feet
Light Condition:
Full sun Plus de 6 heures d'ensoleillement par jour
Part shade More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture dry Tolère des conditions de sol sec
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Vivace des plantes qui reviennent année après année
Gardener Experience:
beginner friendly Suitable for beginner gardeners
does not spread Ne se propage pas de manière incontrôlable
plant germinate easy Facile à germer
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape Uses:
rock garden Suitable for rock gardens
row garden Suitable for Right of Way gardens
rain garden Suitable for rain gardens
shoreline_rehab Suitable for shoreline rehabilitation
container suitable Suitable for container garden
school garden Suitable for school gardens
boulevard garden tolerant Tolerates boulevard garden conditions
Ecological Benefits:
Pollinator garden Supports pollinators
butterfly host Butterfly host
Tolerates:
Salt Tolerant Tolerates salt conditions
Deer Resistant Deer resistant
Rabbit Resistant Rabbit resistant
Limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
Transplantation Tolerant Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:
causes skin rashes This plant causes skin rashes

Seed and plant distribution status

Semences disponible
Disponible à la table Mi-soleil, sec
Nous acceptions les semences de cette plante

Faits intéressants

Hoary Vervain has upright, branching stems covered in fine hairs and narrow spikes of small purple-blue flowers. It blooms from midsummer into early fall and has a somewhat rugged, prairie-like appearance. It is generally well behaved, although it can self-seed if conditions are favourable. It does not require dividing. It is a good choice for gardeners who have dry, poor soil where moisture-loving plants struggle.

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: Oui

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Verbena stricta
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Plaines à forêts mixtes

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Verbena stricta

Specialized Bees Supported by Verbena stricta

No bee data available for this plant.

Complementary Plants

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Sorbaria sorbifolia (False spirea)
  • Aruncus dioicus (Goat's Beard)
  • Lamium (Dead nettle)
  • Astilbe (Astilbe)
  • Lavandula (Lavender)
  • Hesperis matronalis (Dame Rocket)
  • Liatris (Blazing Star Cultivar)

Sowing Information

Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Surface sow
  • Sow by February
  • Stratification duration: 60 days
  • Self-seeding

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: August
  • Harvesting indicator:
    • Pods are brown, seeds are dark, and crisp, and little stem connecting the pod to the main stem is brown (not green)
  • Harvesting:
    • Secouer le porte-graines dans un sac de papier
  • Seed viability test:
    • Pas de test requis avant le don
  • Packaging measure: 1 rounded 1/32 teaspoon
  • Seed storage:
    • Sécher à l'air dans un sac en papier ou contenant ouvert, pour quelques jours jusqu'à sec
    • Secouer de temps à autre pour prévenir la moisissure
  • Cultivar: No, you can donate without knowing the source as there are only straight species
  • Harvesting notes: Please note that in 2025, we partly distributed Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata) instead of Hoary Vervain (Verbena stricta). Please check your plants before donating. Thanks!
  • Harvesting video: Watch here

Toxicity Notes

Inadequate information on toxicity found.