Vervain Seeds

Common Names
Vervain, Common Vervain

Botanical Name
Verbena officinalis

Plant Family
Verbenaceae

Life Cycle
Perennial

Native Range
Europe 

Hardiness Zone
4-8

Habit
Attractive deeply lobed and toothed leaves, grey-green in spring turning deeper green in Summer. Small pale lilac flowers on tall delicate spires in late Summer to early Fall. Grows to 3ft tall and 1 1/2ft wide. Good bee and butterfly plant.

Sun/Soil
Vervain is drought tolerant once established and prefers a sunny spot.

Germination/Sowing
The seeds germinate easily and can be sown in fall or spring.

Growing/Care
The plants can be cut back in fall time, or after flowering to prevent self-seeding. Note that this species of Vervain is a prolific self-seeder (enough to be a bit of a nuisance). Vervain will establish itself as a clump-forming perennial that, after a few years of growth, can be divided and harvested, or replanted. 

Harvesting
The aerial parts of Vervain can be harvested when the flowers appear. The plants can be cut back to a few inches above the ground and will regrow. The herb can be used both fresh and dried. 

Culinary Uses
None known. The taste of Vervain is quite bitter and somewhat acrid.

Medicinal Uses
Vervain has many actions that make it a great herb for PMS - its ability to relieve liver congestion, stimulate menstruation, relieve cramps, and calm the nerves. These actions combined with its action as a relaxant diaphoretic make Vervain ideal for the treatment of hot flashes.

Vervain is nervous system trophorestorative helping to relax, replenish and rebuild the nerves. It is good for people who have a hard time winding down at the end of the day or ‘turning off’. It is especially indicated for conditions that feel angry or hot in nature.

Themes
Attracts Pollinators, Deer Resistant, Apothecary Garden, Drought Tolerant, Low Maintenance, Medieval Garden.