Verbena stricta

Although sparsely found in North Carolina, Hoary Vervain can be found in prairies, meadows, and open woodlands. In summer, flowers bloom a few at a time, Hoary Vervain’s showy purple flowers bloom starting at the bottom of narrow pencil-like panicles moving up throughout the blooming season. Blooms attract a variety of pollinators including hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, and beetles. Seeds are a good source for a plethora of small mammals and songbirds. The fuzzy grey-green leaves are a larval host for Common Buckeye Butterflies. As it thrives in dry to medium, well-drained soil, it is drought tolerant. This plant would make a stunning addition to dry spots within the garden and is a good contender for rock gardens. Although it could be considered short-lived, it readily self-sows. To prevent it from spreading, deadhead flowers before seeds set. After germination, it blooms in the second year. Hoary Vervain is deer resistant.