Hoary Vervain
Verbena stricta
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Hoary Vervain - #1 Container is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™

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Your order is protected by our compliance system that:
- Prevents restricted plants from shipping to your state
- Ensures plants meet your state's agricultural requirements
- Protects gardens from invasive pests and diseases
Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Fast, Safe Plant Delivery
Ships in 3-4 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected
Under $50 | $9.99 |
$50 - $99.99 | $14.99 |
$100 - $149.99 | $16.99 |
$150+ | $24.99 |
✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee
Understanding Plant Options
Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:
- Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
- Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements
Container Plant Sizes
Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.
Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
2" x 2" x 3" | 0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts | 0.20 - 0.23 dry liters |
4" Container | 0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts | 0.35 - 0.96 dry liters |
4.5" Container | 0.65 dry quarts | 0.72 dry liters |
6" Container | 1.4 dry quarts | 1.59 dry liters |
1 Quart | 1 dry quart | 1.1 dry liters |
5.5" Container | 1.89 dry quarts | 2.08 dry liters |
Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
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2 Quart | 2 dry quarts | 2.2 dry liters |
#1 Container | 2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts | 2.49 - 4.11 dry liters |
5" x 5" x 12" | 3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts | 3.85 - 4.74 dry liters |
Mature Plants (2-4 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
#2 Container | 1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons | 5.24 - 7.75 dry liters |
#3 Container | 2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons | 8.14 - 12.16 dry liters |
Large Plants (3-5 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
#5 Container | 2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons | 12.86 - 20.35 dry liters |
#6 Container | 5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons | 23.12 - 26.42 dry liters |
#7 Container | 5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons | 26.34 - 28.76 dry liters |
Bare Root Plants
Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.
Common Sizes:
- Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
- Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet
Important Notes
Container Volume Specifications
- Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
- Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
- Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents
Growing Conditions
- Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
- Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
- Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment
Seasonal Availability
- Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
- Container plants are available throughout the growing season
- Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes
Questions?
For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.
Plant Highlights
Hoary Vervain highlights at a glance!
Specifications
Specifications
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Brand
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Botanical Name
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Growing Zones
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Mature Height
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Mature Spread
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Sun ExposureFull Sun
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Moisture
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Soil
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Growth RateMedium
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Flower Color
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Pollinator Friendly
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Pruning Time
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Bloom PeriodLate Spring, Summer, Fall

Growing Zones 4-7
Long lavender spires grace the unforgettable native perennial, Hoary Vervain (Verbena stricta). Enjoy many months of cool-toned color every year from this incredible native prairie wildflower! A long-lasting pollinator plant, the purple flowers stand on tall spires nearly 4 feet tall.
Serrated Hoary Vervain leaves are roughly toothed and covered with dense hairs, they play the role of host plant for the Common Buckeye caterpillars! Over their blooming season, the blue-violet flowers open from the base upwards along the length of the densely packed spike cluster. You'll have a lavish display of long-lasting flowers with these charming herbaceous perennials.
Found growing in prairies and along roadsides and ditches, Hoary Vervain is a well-behaved, clumping plant. Even after the blooms are finished for the year, the dried spires capture and sculpt frost and light snowfall for an architectural boost of winter interest. Cold-hardy throughout USDA planting zones 4 to 7, these perennials are easy to grow!
Landscape Application:
These fetching plants play an important role in Butterfly and Pollinator Gardens. Nectar-rich flowers from May through September provide an important resource for beneficial pollinators. They support beautiful Monarch butterflies as they prepare for their long annual migration.
Plant them in long drifts in the summer garden for a fantastically modern visual effect. Pair Hoary Vervain with the earlier blooms of Bee Balm for an extended series of dynamic blooms. Even without a yard, gardeners can grow Hoary Vervain in deep pots. Like most prairie plants, they have long roots, so pick the right pot to support their growth.
Native Vervain is one of the most dramatic wildflowers and NatureHills.com is so excited to offer these important North American prairie natives. You'll appreciate that we work with Plant Sentry™ to ensure we follow all state regulations on plant material to protect your local ecology.
Xeric once established, plant these tall plants in Rock Gardens, Cottage Gardens, and Meadows to bring in the butterflies and add tall specimens to your cut flower bouquets! Wildcrafters and homesteaders use Vervain as a medicinal plant and the seeds were roasted and ground into flour for baking.
- Long-Lasting Purple Spires
- Flowers May To September
- Vital Pollinator Resource & Host Plant
- Hardy Native Perennials
- Rock Gardens, Native & Prairie Gardens & Deep Planters
#ProPlantTips for Care:
Hoary Native Vervain is a full sun plant, requiring at least 6 hours of sun a day to flower best. Once established, Hoary Vervain performs well in dry, well-drained soil conditions. For the first year, provide a moderate amount of water on a regular basis, but established plants become xeric and easy to grow. Select the narrower Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata) if your soil stays soggy after a rainfall. Wait until late winter to prune the dried foliage back. Because of the hairy leaves, deer don't prefer the taste…use deer repellent spray if you have deer in your area.
- Full Sun
- Well-Drained Soil
- Moderate Moisture - Low Once Established
- Prune Late Fall
- Not High On Deer Nibble Lists
Order the butterfly's native favorite perennial for summer-to-fall purple blooms today at NatureHills.com!