Verbena lasiostachys
western vervain
Overview
Verbena lasiostachys is a low, spreading perennial wildflower in the vervain family, growing 1-3 ft (30-90 cm) tall from a woody base with square, hairy stems. The opposite leaves are 1-3 in (2.5-8 cm) long, gray-green, hairy, and coarsely toothed or lobed. From May to September the stems carry slender, branching spikes of small five-lobed flowers about 0.2 in (4-6 mm) wide in shades of blue-violet to purple, opening a few at a time from the base of each spike upward. The flowers draw butterflies, native bees, and other small pollinators. As the spikes lengthen they leave behind small dry nutlets that scatter near the parent plant. The species grows in grasslands, open woodland, streambanks, and disturbed ground across California and the Pacific states, tolerating drought, heat, and clay once established. It dies back in winter and resprouts from the crown in spring. Wet, poorly drained soil shortens its life. It is native to the western United States and resembles other vervains, differing in its hairy stems and branched flower spikes.
Native Range
Verbena lasiostachys is native to the western United States, mainly California and Oregon, and south into Baja California. It grows in grasslands, open woodland, streambanks, roadsides, and disturbed ground from the coast to the foothills.Suggested Uses
Verbena lasiostachys is used in native, pollinator, and low-water gardens, on dry banks, and in meadow plantings across the western states. Its summer flowers support butterflies and bees, and the seeds feed small birds. It combines with native grasses, buckwheats, and sages in dry naturalistic gardens.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 3'
Width/Spread1' - 3'
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Colors
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
blue-violet to purpleFoliage Description
gray-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Verbena lasiostachys grows in full sun to light shade on well-drained soils and needs only occasional summer water once established. It tolerates drought, heat, clay, and lean ground, suiting low-water and native plantings within USDA zones 7-10. Overwatering and wet winter soils cause crown rot. The plant dies back in winter and resprouts from the woody base in spring. Cutting back spent stems keeps growth tidy and can bring a second flush of bloom. Light, infrequent water sustains it through dry summers.Pruning
Pruning is done after the first bloom or in early spring, cutting back spent flower spikes to tidy the plant and encourage repeat flowering. Old stems can be removed at the base in late winter. The plant tolerates being cut back hard while dormant.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summerwinter