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Verbena hastata Alba

Verbena hastata Alba
Vervain

4,5/5
7 reviews
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Alright, nice stem

jeanne, 03/12/2022

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This plant carries a 12 months recovery warranty

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A tall herbaceous perennial which is highly hardy, with long spires densely covered with small white flowers all summer, appreciated by pollinating insects. Bright green foliage, composed of very elongated and dentate leaves. Truly easy to grow in any ordinary soil, from moist to dry, in the sun, it readily self-seeds in the garden.
Flower size
12 cm
Height at maturity
80 cm
Spread at maturity
50 cm
Exposure
Sun
Hardiness
Hardy down to -29°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil, Damp soil
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Best planting time March to April, September to October
Recommended planting time February to April, August to October
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Flowering time July to September
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Description

Verbena hastata 'Alba' is a variety of white vervain, it is a tall herbaceous perennial with an upright habit which is very hardy. Throughout the summer, the tips of its sturdy stems are covered with ramified spkies, very straight, densely filled with small white flowers with green bracts. This flowering is particularly appreciated by pollinating insects. The foliage is bright green, composed of very elongated and toothed leaves. This plant has something enchanting, combining floribundity, graphic appeal and ease of cultivation. It thrives everywhere, in any ordinary and well-drained soil, moist, fresh or occasionally dry, in the sun, and easily self-seeds in the garden.

Native to Canada and the United States, Vervain belongs to the Verbenaceae family. It colonises damp soils, riverbanks, wet meadows, and floodplains in its natural habitat. Depending on soil moisture, it can reach a height of 60 to 100 cm (24 to 39in), with a width of 50 to 60 cm (20 to 24in). It grows from a fibrous and rhizomatous stump, forming an erect, relatively narrow clump composed of occasionally branched quadrangular stems. The leaves are opposite, 10 to 13 cm (4 to 5in) long, 2.5 cm (1in) wide, lanceolate, veined, coarsely toothed, and bright green. From June to September, the stems branch out at their upper end and give rise to thin, pointed spike inflorescences, 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6in) long, composed of numerous red buds that develop into small purple flowers with five 5 mm (0.2 in) petals, resembling lilac. The buds, flowers, and bracts create a striking and splendid contrast. The flowers open from the bottom to the top. The flowering period is followed by the formation of small, hard, elongated fruits that contain seeds, which easily self-seed. Small colonies of plants, identical to the parent plant, are produced from the rhizomes.

 

Verbena hastata 'Alba' is perfect in a white garden and valuable for natural gardens. This perennial is remarkable at the edge of a water feature, in a moist soil, as long as it is planted en masse.  In a slightly wild scene, the tousled or well-ordered clumps of Gauras and grasses (small Miscanthus, Eragrostis, Stipa) accompany it well. Paradoxically, it also performs well in drier soil, although it will remain smaller. Its delicate, highly graphic spikes contrast with the roundness of roses, complement lavender of the same hue, and its purple stems beautifully accompany the grey or silver foliage of Artemisias, the blond or metallic blue culms of Elymus magellanicus, or the rust colour of Carex buchananii.  Verbena hastata can also be used to prepare herbal teas. The ancients attributed aphrodisiac properties to it!

Verbena hastata Alba in pictures

Verbena hastata Alba (Flowering) Flowering
Verbena hastata Alba (Foliage) Foliage

Flowering

Flower colour white
Flowering time July to September
Inflorescence Spike
Flower size 12 cm
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour green
Aromatic? Fragrant foliage when creased

Plant habit

Height at maturity 80 cm
Spread at maturity 50 cm
Growth rate normal

Botanical data

Genus

Verbena

Species

hastata

Cultivar

Alba

Family

Verbenaceae

Other common names

Vervain

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

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Planting and care

Plant Verbena hastata 'Alba' in any ordinary soil, even occasionally flooded or dry, neutral, acidic or alkaline, preferably in the sun or in light shade in very hot regions. However, it prefers loamy and fertile soils. Cut off faded flowers to limit self seeding.

Planting period

Best planting time March to April, September to October
Recommended planting time February to April, August to October

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Woodland edge, Pond edge
Type of use Border
Hardiness Hardy down to -29°C (USDA zone 5) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 5 per m2
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Acidic, Neutral, Calcareous
Soil type Clayey-chalky (heavy and alkaline), Silty-loamy (rich and light), Stony (poor and well-drained)
Soil moisture Moist soil, Damp soil, Fertile

Care

Pruning No pruning necessary
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground
4,5/5
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