Blue Spires Verbena is a native North American wildflower that brings elegant deep blue spikes to the summer garden, thriving in zones 3 through 3 with impressive cold hardiness. This cultivar grows 36 to 48 inches tall and blooms prolifically from June through August, drawing butterflies and bees while standing firm against deer pressure. Its narrow, lance-shaped foliage and distinctive flower spires create a naturalistic look that works beautifully in rain gardens, native plantings, and pollinator borders.
Full Sun
High
3-3
48in H x 30in W
—
Moderate
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Tall spikes of true blue flowers emerge reliably through midsummer heat, and the plant tolerates wet conditions better than most verbenas, practically thriving in boggy spots where other ornamentals struggle. The sheer cold hardiness of this zone 3 cultivar makes it one of the most reliable verbenas for northern gardens, and its deer resistance means you won't wake to find it browsed to nubs like so many other perennials.
Blue Spires Verbena functions as a tall pollinator magnet in sunny borders and native plant gardens. Its moisture tolerance makes it exceptional for rain gardens and riparian edges where standing water is common. The upright spires work well as vertical accents in mixed perennial beds and cottage gardens, and because it attracts butterflies and native bees, it serves an important ecological role in supporting pollinators.
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Start seeds indoors by stratifying for 30 days: mix seed with damp sand or vermiculite, place in a plastic bag, and refrigerate at 35 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Check frequently for germination and maintain lightly moist medium conditions. Transplant seedlings as they emerge. After the cold period, sow into containers and maintain warmth between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit until transplanting outdoors.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last spring frost, spacing plants 1 inch apart. Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days before planting.
Direct sow in fall or earliest spring, or winter sow into pots for germination outdoors.
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