Vervain (Verbena officinalis)
A low-growing plant for most of the year until summer, when it will produce flower spikes up to 80cm tall. Flowers are small, lavender-coloured and have little scent. They open over a long period, so that at any one time, only a few are open on each spike. Butterflies and many other insects find them attractive.
Vervain was a considered a sacred and very powerful herb both by the Druids and the Romans. (The Druids advised gathering plants when neither the sun nor the moon is in the sky and leaving honeycombs on the ground in exchange for the harvest, but this probably isn't necessary).
Sowing and growing
Sow from January to April. If the weather is already warm, it is generally recommended that the seeds cold stratified for 10 days at 4-6°C (however, In our tests we found that you get around 50% germination without stratification, so it seems it isn't really necessary).
Sow seed on compost and only just cover with a fine layer of compost or vermiculite. Mist with water spray, but keep in mind that these seeds do not like to be too wet. Germination should take 15-21 days at 16-19°C. Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle to 8cm pots. Acclimatise and plant out after danger of frost has passed.
Plant in a sunny spot. Naturally, vervain grows in well-drained alkaline soils, but will readily grow in most soil types. In our garden, it thrives in heavy, slightly acidic soil that is often very wet. It does not need much attention apart from cutting back spent flower stalks in autumn (or just after flowering if you don't want seedlings popping up everywhere).
If sown early, plants will flower in the same year. Deadhead if you do not want it to self-seed. Cut back in spring once new shoots emerge at the base.
Vervain was a considered a sacred and very powerful herb both by the Druids and the Romans. (The Druids advised gathering plants when neither the sun nor the moon is in the sky and leaving honeycombs on the ground in exchange for the harvest, but this probably isn't necessary).
Sowing and growing
Sow from January to April. If the weather is already warm, it is generally recommended that the seeds cold stratified for 10 days at 4-6°C (however, In our tests we found that you get around 50% germination without stratification, so it seems it isn't really necessary).
Sow seed on compost and only just cover with a fine layer of compost or vermiculite. Mist with water spray, but keep in mind that these seeds do not like to be too wet. Germination should take 15-21 days at 16-19°C. Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle to 8cm pots. Acclimatise and plant out after danger of frost has passed.
Plant in a sunny spot. Naturally, vervain grows in well-drained alkaline soils, but will readily grow in most soil types. In our garden, it thrives in heavy, slightly acidic soil that is often very wet. It does not need much attention apart from cutting back spent flower stalks in autumn (or just after flowering if you don't want seedlings popping up everywhere).
If sown early, plants will flower in the same year. Deadhead if you do not want it to self-seed. Cut back in spring once new shoots emerge at the base.
