Spring is Approaching fast!

 Things to Consider for Spring

• Germinating Your Own Herb Seeds

• Ordering Potted Herb Plants

• Controlling Garden Pests

• Composting - Using Compost

• Drying and Storing Your Herbs

• Soil Fertility - Soil Testing Your Herb Garden Soil

• How the Changing Weather Will Affect Your Herb Garden

Verbena or Vervain is historically associated with giving magical powers to sorcerers and witches. Verbena is a nice addition to any Herb Garden

Verbena has been used as a medicinal herb to treat nervous problems and insomnia. The herb has also been described as an aphrodisiac, said to “secure the favor of the ladies”. It is of very old usage as a digestive and sedative nightcap. It has also been associated with Chinese medicine. The Pawnee Native Americans used Vervain to improve their dreams. Verbena is known as an herb of inspiration long used by poets and writers.

Verbena

• Herb Type: Perennial Herb

• Growing Zones: 4 to 8, depending on species

Verbena is a blooming annual or perennial herb that possesses a long bloom season plus heat tolerance. 

Verbenas vary considerably in size. The ground-skimming and trailing verbena may reach 1 foot or less in height and spread from 2 to 5 feet wide. Verbena rigida, also known as Sandpaper verbena, only reaches 12 to 24 inches tall, while Verbena bonariensis can reach a height of 5 feet tall, and only a few feet in width.

Growing Verbena

Many perennial verbenas such as Lemon Verbena can be short lived, but their vigor and heavy flowering make up for lack of longevity. You should plan to replace them after two or three years. Most of the perennial verbenas are well adapted to growing in higher heat and humidity.

Growing verbena as an annual is popular because the verbena flowers quickly its first season in the herb garden. Annual verbenas raised from seed typically do poorly in the hot, humid summer climates of the south and Midwest. Caution is advised because some species of verbena plants may reseed and grow in your herb garden, becoming an unwanted pest.

Growing Verbena is not difficult and verbena care is not as specific in its requirements as some herbs might be. Verbenas generally thrive in an herb garden with well-drained soil, receiving full sun throughout the day. The herbs will do better with the plants spaced well apart to provide good air circulation amongst the population. The herb will do poorly when none of the above requirements are met. The only exception is with young verbena plants that will need to be kept moist until the roots grow into the permanent soil of your herb garden.

Established Verbena officinalis requires an inch of rain per week, less will diminish the bloom and growth rate. When it is required, provide additional moisture while avoiding excess soil moisture.

If the verbena flowers fade in mid-season, trim the herb back 25% to stimulate new growth. An application of a good general-purpose fertilizer will stimulate a fresh bloom within 2 to 3 weeks.

Problems are minor when Growing Verbena

Trim back verbena slightly in the fall, but not too severely. Excess fall trimming can reduce the herb’s ability to survive a cold winter.

Like any garden herb, Verbena has its own requirements for a healthy plant. Most problems will occur from mismanagement. Diseases will typically occur when verbenas are grown in excessive shade, are over crowded surrounded by poor air circulation, are over-watered or planted in poorly drained soil. In addition, verbena suffering from other growth related stress is susceptible to disease.

Vervain Tea

Vervain can be crushed or chopped and added to boiling water with which in turn makes tea. The tea has been used as an herbal medicine for insomnia and for "typical daytime ailments." It looks to me as though, through the years Verbena tea or Vervain tea has been used as Aspirin was used in more modern times.

As with any recipe for an herbal medicine this should be taken at your own risk. This Publisher is not recommending the use of Verbena or Vervain tea although my thoughts are that it is probably safer than what we take now for the same ailments.

To help calm and relax:

1 1/2 oz dried Vervain leaves
1 oz Valerian root
½ oz Juniper or Devils Hoof

Allow to steep for 20 minutes, use hot water only, not yet boiling. Boiling water will destroy the beneficial active ingredient in the Valerian. Strain and then drink 20 minutes before bedtime.

To help you sleep:

1 1/2 oz dried Vervain (leaves)
1 oz Chamomile
½ oz Spearmint

Mix the herbs all and add to 1 cup boiling water. Steep 8 minutes, strain and sip.

Used as a Fever Reducer:

2 tsp dried Catnip
1 tsp dry Vervain

Pour 2 cups boiling water over the mix of herbs. Steep for 10 minutes & strain and then drink.

Thomas Kueny, Publisher - http://www.growing-herbs.com