This particular Verbena has been in the South for quite some time, although it has only recently been brought into nurseries. Dr. Allan Armitage and Dr. Michael Dirr found this Verbena in a country homestead in Georgia. It is very vigorous, both in growth and flower production. In mild winters it remains evergreen and continues to bloom. The foliage is also attractive deep green and scalloped.
Plentiful flowers look like miniature pinwheels in lavender and white.
We have it in the Hot Colors border, where one plant of 'Summer Blaze' stands out easily in that loud crowd of oranges, reds and yellows. As with all Verbenas, leave the foliage up all winter and cut back to new green sprigs in the spring. How strange, to first fall in love with Blue Vervain in November, when plants were all dry and brown in the grass gardens at Hoffman Nurseries. Its sturdy height, interesting terminal seed heads and branched architectural form were immediately apparent. Feel free to ignore these plants all summer, as they get taller and taller and rebloom, or cut to the ground mid-summer for shorter plants during late summer and fall bloom.