Verbena Flower

Common Name: Vervain
Origin: South America
Cultivation: Full sun in well-drained soil
Colors: Pink, Rose, Purple, Red, Mauve
Bloom Time: Mid Summer
Uses: Decorative and medicinal uses
Regions: Assam, West Indian Islands, Kansas, Kentucky

Cultivation of Verbena
Verbena needs a sunny position, protected from strong winds and frost. Soil should be light, calciferous and well drained. If the soil is poor, the herb gets more hardy. If the hanging branches are cut away, it will be more fine and compact. Prune and spray with warm water in winter to prevent shrub becoming straggly. Hardwood cuttings can be stuck in late winter and tip cuttings taken in late spring.

Drying Verbena
Verbena are cut when they are just about to mature. Make smaller bunches out of it. Hang them in a dry, well-ventilated place. In damp or cold climates, some artificial heat is necessary to supplement the natural drying process. They can be hanged inside paper bags to keep dust off. There should be holes in the paper bags to let the air in and keep out moisture. They can also be dried by spreading them on trays.

Microwave drying can also be used to dry verbena. These flowers are spread on a mesh rack and place in a slow oven set from 100 degrees to 125 degrees F. Using more heat causes the volatile oils in the plants to be destroyed. Leave the oven door open and remove the leaves while they keep on drying.

At times verbena are also press dired. The plant material is placed between the pages of a book, which is closed and weighted. Special devices called plant presses give excellent results.

Uses of Verbena
Dried verbena is most commonly used in dried flower arrangements. It also has some medicinal uses. It is used as a tonic, astringent, diuretic, diaphoretic, galactagogue. It also makes a refreshing skin toner. It is an excellent addition to potpourri. Place a few leaves in your stationary box to add fragrance to your personal letters. Crush the leaves and add them to the coating mixture when frying fish. It is also used externally to treat wounds.

The flowers and the leaves both are used in potpourris for their fragrance, beauty and the medicinal properties.