Vervain is a robust, drought-tolerant herb that grows wild throughout much of North America. It is native to southern Europe and was likely introduced to the New World by early settlers. Vervain belongs to the genus Verbena, which includes annual and perennial herbaceous or semi-woody flowering plants. The majority of the species are native to the Americas and Asia.

To grow vervain, choose a location with full to partial sun and well-drained, average soils. Plants are usually grown from seed. Vervain is a spreading plant that displays stiff, erect stems and reaches mature heights of 12 to 36 inches (31-91 cm.). Narrow spikes of tiny, blue flowers appear from early summer until autumn.

Use of Vervain

Vervain has been used medicinally for thousands of years. It is valued for its many beneficial qualities and has been used to treat a variety of ailments, including fever, rheumatism, and skin conditions. Some people believe vervain herb plants carry supernatural qualities, while others consider it a holy plant.

In addition to its medicinal uses, vervain is also used in butterfly gardening, attracting Lepidoptera such as the Hummingbird hawk-moth, Chocolate albatross, or the Pipevine swallowtail, and also hummingbirds. The hybrid cultivars ?Silver Anne? and ?Sissinghurst? have gained the Royal Horticultural Societys Award of Garden Merit.

It is worth noting that while vervain has been used in herbalism and traditional medicine, there is no high-quality evidence for its effectiveness.