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

No seeds available for this plant.
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 1/8 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.