Blue vervain (Verbena hastata) is a beautiful perennial plant that can add a splash of color to any garden or landscape. One common concern that many gardeners have is whether or not blue vervain is aggressive. Well, the good news is that blue vervain is not overly aggressive.
Blue vervain does have the ability to reseed itself, but it does so in a fairly controlled manner. The plant produces small seeds contained in nutlets, which can easily be collected and sown if desired. This means that you have the option to propagate more blue vervain plants if you want to, but it won’t take over your garden without your intervention.
In my own experience, I have found blue vervain to be a well-behaved plant. It spreads slowly and doesn’t aggressively take over the surrounding space. It’s a plant that plays well with others in the garden, allowing for a diverse and harmonious planting scheme.
However, it’s important to note that blue vervain does have the potential to become more aggressive in certain conditions. If it is grown in ideal conditions with rich soil, consistent moisture, and plenty of sunlight, it may spread more quickly. Additionally, if the plant is not deadheaded, it may self-sow and spread more readily.
To control the spread of blue vervain, regular deadheading is recommended. This involves removing spent flowers before they have a chance to produce seeds. By doing this, you can prevent the plant from self-sowing and potentially becoming more aggressive.
In terms of its growth habit, blue vervain typically forms clumps of upright stems that can reach a height of 2 to 6 feet. The plant produces spikes of small, tubular flowers that are usually a vibrant shade of blue, although they can also be purple or pink. These flowers are attractive to pollinators like bees and butterflies, making blue vervain a great addition to a pollinator garden.
I would consider blue vervain to be a well-behaved and manageable plant. It has the potential to spread, but with proper deadheading and regular maintenance, it can be easily controlled. Its ability to reseed itself can actually be a benefit if you want to propagate more plants or if you want to let it naturalize in a larger area.
Blue vervain is not an aggressive plant. It can reseed itself, but with proper care and maintenance, it can be easily controlled. Its beautiful flowers and pollinator-friendly nature make it a great choice for any garden or landscape.
