Wet areas create opportunities to grow wonderful plants that provide nectar and pollen for pollinating insects. Blue vervain attracts many native bees that visit the plant for food. Butterflies enjoy this plant and Blue vervain is a larval host for the Common Buckeye butterfly. Birds will eat the seeds in the fall. For these reasons, it valuable for plantings where both beauty and wildlife are important. Mammals will not eat the plant because the leaves are bitter.


Blue vervain is a delightful plant that grows naturally in very moist to wet areas but can also tolerate drier habitats. The bright blue flowers rise above the plant on stems in a candelabra-like arrangement. The flowers open from the bottom of the flower spike upwards. The leaves are long and slender and coarsely serrated. The stems are reddish in color. The plant has a fibrous root stem that anchors in well to the soil. Blue vervain grows in sun and part sun Plant grows to 4 to 6 feet tall.


Companion plants for Blue vervain include Joe Pye Weed, Common Boneset. These flower at the same time and make a lovely showing. Put them in a bed with Marsh Marigold, Jack in the Pulpit, Blue Flag Iris, Red Cardinal Flower and Royal fern and you have created a colorful garden, as well as a great habitat for many animals.