Blue Spires Blue Vervain

Blue Spires Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata 'Blue Spires')

Blue Spires Blue Vervain is a tall, upright perennial that brings waves of violet-blue color to the garden when summer hits its stride. It adds vertical energy without looking stiff, so borders feel fuller and more layered instead of flat. The flower spikes keep opening over an extended season, which makes it a dependable source of late-season color and pollinator activity. If you have a spot that stays a bit moist or a rain garden that needs height, this plant fits naturally.

Distinctive Features

This selection forms candelabra-like stems topped with slender spikes of tiny violet to purplish-blue flowers that read as bold color from a distance. The habit is clump-forming and upright, with coarse-textured green foliage that supports the tall bloom display without needing constant attention. Bloom typically runs through mid to late summer and can continue into early fall, especially when moisture is consistent. It can self-sow where conditions are favorable, which is useful for naturalized plantings and a consideration for more formal beds.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun to part shade, with best flowering in full sun.
• Soil: Moist, well-drained to periodically wet soils, including loam or clay, with consistent moisture preferred.
• Water: Medium water, and do not let the plant dry out for long periods during peak summer.
• USDA Zones: Zones 3 to 9.
• Mature Size: About 3 to 5 feet tall and about 18 to 30 inches wide.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Use it in a back-of-border drift where the tall blue flower spires create a clear seasonal highlight.
• Rain Gardens: Plant in moisture-retentive zones where it can handle periodic wetness and still look intentional.
• Pollinator Plantings: Add to mixed beds to support butterflies and other pollinators through the heart of summer.
• Naturalized Areas: Repeat in groups for a meadow-like look that blends easily with other native-style perennials.
• Pond and Stream Edges: Place near water features where soil stays more consistently moist.
• Mixed Borders: Pair with coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, ornamental grasses, and late bloomers for long-season structure.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Water during drought to keep flowering strong and reduce stress in full sun.
• Staking: Site in a spot with some support from neighboring plants if wind exposure is high.
• Deadheading: Remove spent spikes for a tidier look and to reduce self-sowing where you do not want seedlings.
• Cutback: Cut stems back in late fall or in early spring before new growth starts.
• Division: Divide clumps every few years in spring if vigor declines or if you want to expand the planting.

Why Choose Blue Spires Blue Vervain?

• Late-Season Color: Tall violet-blue spires keep borders lively when many plants are fading.
• Vertical Structure: Adds height and movement without the bulk of a shrub.
• Moisture Tolerance: Thrives in rain gardens and moisture-retentive soils that challenge many perennials.
• Pollinator Value: Flower spikes attract butterflies and other beneficial visitors through summer.
• Deer Resistance: Often less appealing to deer than many flowering perennials.

If you want strong summer color with an easy, natural look, Blue Spires Blue Vervain is a smart choice. Give it sun and steady moisture, and it will rise above the border with a long run of bloom and plenty of movement. Used in drifts or woven through mixed plantings, it brings both height and habitat value without demanding a high-maintenance routine.