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I obtained these from an empty lot near my parents home in SE Nebraska. Any ideas as to what it is? Stem is NOT squre, but round (rules out mint family, doesn't it?) Leaves are opposite and serrated. Flower is a nice blue/lavender color. Plants are about 2' tall, which I would guess is pretty near to full height at maturity.
Blooming last week, so early summer blooms. Thanks!
You know, I thought it might be a verbena, but it has a round stem (I just went out and double checked, because I never quite trust my memory:) It has very slight ridges all around, but definitely not square.
If it's possible for a verbena to have a round stem, then I think we're on the right track, but the flowers on your photo of V. hastata are too dark, these were definitely more of a periwinkle blue to lavender shade. Any more ideas?
Vols do you have the plants your looking at or did you just take a cutting from the wild plants. I went out to check mine. The stems are round towards the top and have ridges that are more defined as it gets closer to the base. At the base of the plant they appear more square. I'm thinking if you just clipped a piece of the top growth it may very well appear round.
I started my plants a few years ago from seeds bought at Johnny's. It might be an "improved" variety compared to the wild plants. That may explain the darker color. I know there also is a white variety. The flowers are tiny and tubular growing in whorls around the pencil-like stems.
Sue, you are amazing! I did dig the whole plants, and just snapped the pictures of the top, trying to get as much detail as possible. When I felt the stem previously, I was only handling it directly beneath the flower stem.
Now maybe it's wishful thinking on my part, but the stems DO feel more squared near the base - actually right beneath the second set of leaves is where they becomes more pronounced. Looking at some other photos, I'm wondering if perhaps I have the V. officinalis instead of V. hastata - perhaps it would explain the resemblance in growth and flowering habit, and the color variation?
