Verbena gracilis, commonly known as Slender Vervain, is an annual herb native to grasslands and open areas in the central and southwestern United States to Mexico. It typically grows up to 2 feet tall and features delicate, slender stems with small, narrow leaves. The plant produces clusters of tiny, tubular purple flowers from late spring to early fall, which are highly attractive to pollinators such as butterflies and bees. The flowers are quite showy due to their abundance and long blooming period.

Slender Vervain is valued for its extended flowering season and its ability to attract wildlife, making it an excellent choice for wildflower gardens, pollinator gardens, and naturalized areas. It is also used in borders and as a filler in mixed plantings. This plant prefers full sun exposure and requires well-drained soils to thrive. While it is drought-tolerant once established, regular watering during prolonged dry spells will promote optimal growth and flowering. Slender Vervain is relatively low-maintenance, but it can self-seed prolifically, which may be considered undesirable in some garden settings.CC BY-SA 4.0