“Hoary Vervain, a Sacred Pollinator Haven”

*Hoary vervain (Verbena stricta) is a key native perennial for pollinators, blooming from the bottom up on dense spikes to attract diverse bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. It acts as a primary larval host for the Common Buckeye butterfly (so is Culver’s root!) and provides nectar for specialized bees like Calliopsis nebraskensis (verbena bee), supporting high biodiversity
*Primary Pollinators: Attracts a wide variety of native bees (including bumble bees, long-horned bees, and sweat bees), butterflies, skippers, moths, wasps, and hummingbirds.
*Specialist Visitors: The plant is a host for the specialist verbena bee, Calliopsis nebraskensis (also listed as C. verbenae), which relies on it for pollen.
*Bloom Characteristics: Flowers bloom for 4–6 weeks in summer, starting from the bottom of the spike and moving upward. This staggered blooming ensures a long-lasting nectar source.
*Wildlife Value: The seeds, which are produced in sets of four tiny nutlets per flower, are a food source for songbirds, such as sparrows, during autumn and winter.
*Attraction Level: Considered a “pollinator magnet” and a “moderately to highly” attractive plant for beneficial insects