Vervain: Discovering the Lesser-Known Native Verbena ×blanchardii
If you’re on the hunt for native plants that fly under the radar, Verbena ×blanchardii might just be your next gardening mystery to solve. This perennial vervain is one of those plants that botanical enthusiasts whisper about but that hasn’t quite made it to mainstream gardening fame—and honestly, that’s part of its charm.
What Exactly Is Verbena ×blanchardii?
Let’s start with the basics. That little × symbol in the name is your clue that this is a hybrid—nature’s own creation where two verbena species decided to get together and make something new. Verbena ×blanchardii is a native perennial forb, which is just a fancy way of saying it’s an herbaceous flowering plant that comes back year after year without any woody stems to speak of.
This vervain is truly American-made, native to the lower 48 states and naturally occurring in a handful of states including Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Vermont, and Virginia. It’s like finding a hidden gem in your own backyard!
The Honest Truth About Growing This Plant
Here’s where I need to level with you: Verbena ×blanchardii is something of an enigma in the gardening world. While we know it exists and we know where it grows wild, detailed cultivation information is surprisingly scarce. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing—it just means you might be pioneering uncharted territory if you decide to grow it.
Why Consider This Native Vervain?
Even without a complete growing guide, there are compelling reasons to be intrigued by this plant:
- Native credentials: It belongs here, which means it’s adapted to work with local ecosystems
- Perennial nature: Once established, it should return year after year
- Forb characteristics: Like other verbenas, it likely produces flowers that could benefit pollinators
- Unique factor: You’ll definitely have something different in your garden
The Growing Challenge
Since specific growing information for Verbena ×blanchardii is limited, your best bet would be to:
- Contact native plant societies in the states where it naturally occurs
- Reach out to botanical gardens or universities in its native range
- Look for specialized native plant nurseries that might have experience with rare or unusual species
If you do manage to source this plant, you’d likely want to mimic the conditions where it grows naturally, though we don’t have specific details about its preferred habitats or wetland status.
Consider These Alternatives
While you’re hunting down information about Verbena ×blanchardii, you might also consider other native verbenas that are better documented and more readily available, such as:
- Blue vervain (Verbena hastata)
- White vervain (Verbena urticifolia)
- Narrow-leaf vervain (Verbena simplex)
These cousins share the native plant benefits and are much easier to find and grow successfully.
The Bottom Line
Verbena ×blanchardii represents the wild, wonderful world of native plants that still hold secrets waiting to be discovered. While it might not be the easiest plant to grow (mainly because we don’t know much about growing it!), it offers the thrill of the unknown for adventurous gardeners who want to support native species.
If you’re up for a botanical adventure and don’t mind doing some detective work, this native vervain could be a fascinating addition to your garden. Just be prepared to become something of an expert yourself as you learn to grow it!
