When does Hoary Vervain bloom?

Hoary Vervain blooms from June through September, producing spikes of small purple flowers that attract pollinators throughout the summer and early fall.

What pollinators visit Verbena stricta?

Hoary Vervain attracts various bees and butterflies, making it valuable for pollinator gardens and native plant communities.

Where is Hoary Vervain native?

Verbena stricta is native to most of the United States, ranging from the Great Plains eastward and extending into scattered western states including Arizona, Colorado, and Washington.

What growing conditions does Hoary Vervain prefer?

This hardy forb thrives in full sun with low water requirements, making it well-suited for xeriscaping and drought-prone areas.

Is Hoary Vervain HOA-friendly?

Hoary Vervain takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Hoary Vervain

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Verbena stricta

Last reviewed: July 2026

Verbena stricta is a drought-tolerant native forb found across most of the United States that blooms purple flowers from June through September. This hardy wildflower attracts bees and butterflies to prairies and disturbed sites.

Hoary Vervain (Verbena stricta) — Photo: (c) aarongunnar, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by aarongunnar

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

24"–48" H × 12"–24" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, AR, AZ, CO and 33 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Deer

Resistant (per Prairie Moon Nursery)

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Central Oklahoma/Texas Plains Texas Blackland Prairies

Hoary vervain is a sturdy native perennial with tall spikes of small purple flowers that bloom from June through September. This drought-tolerant plant forms upright clumps and provides reliable color in sunny, dry locations where other plants struggle.

Growing Hoary Vervain

Grow Hoary Vervain in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 24 to 48 inches tall and spread 12 to 24 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Hoary Vervain takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Tall growth habit can appear wild or weedy
Goes completely dormant in winter leaving bare stems
May self-seed and spread beyond intended areas

Wildlife value

The long blooming period makes this an excellent nectar source for bees and butterflies throughout summer and early fall.

Common questions

When does Hoary Vervain bloom?: Hoary Vervain blooms from June through September, producing spikes of small purple flowers that attract pollinators throughout the summer and early fall.
What pollinators visit Verbena stricta?: Hoary Vervain attracts various bees and butterflies, making it valuable for pollinator gardens and native plant communities.
Where is Hoary Vervain native?: Verbena stricta is native to most of the United States, ranging from the Great Plains eastward and extending into scattered western states including Arizona, Colorado, and Washington.
What growing conditions does Hoary Vervain prefer?: This hardy forb thrives in full sun with low water requirements, making it well-suited for xeriscaping and drought-prone areas.
Is Hoary Vervain HOA-friendly?: Hoary Vervain takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

Ready to grow Hoary Vervain? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

Add this plant to your garden

iPhone app Android app

Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz