Hoary Vervain - Verbena stricta

Features: This prairie plant is happy in dry or gravely soil. Stems and leaves are covered with white hairs, thus its common name. Spikes of tiny purple tubular flowers attract many pollinators, and birds eat and spread the seeds. Many types of insects, including specialists such as the Verbena Bee and Verbena Moth, feed on it. Its hairy, bitter leaves make it unpalatable to deer and other mammals.

Light: Full Sun

Soil: Dry to Medium; tolerates gravel, clay and poor soil

Height: 2-3 feet

Blooms: June-August

See more information and photos at Illinois Wildflowers and USDA Plants Database