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Culver's Root Veronicastrum virginicum

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
ver-on-ee-KAS-trum vir-JIN-ih-kum
Description

Culver's Root is a native wildflower that prefers average, medium to wet soil. It is slow to get established in your garden. It is found in open woods, moist meadows and prairies. Flower spikes open from the top down beginning in late spring. Cut the spent flowers to the rosette for possible rebloom in the fall.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Pollinator Garden in Partial Shade
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#rain garden#white flowers#purple flowers#pink flowers#native perennial#nectar plant#spring flowers#pond margins#specialized bees#moist soil#NC native#summer flowers#deer resistant#native garden#cutting garden#pollinator plant#native wildflower#flowers late spring#NC Native Pollinator Plant#wet soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#perennial#moth friendly#meadow
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#rain garden#white flowers#purple flowers#pink flowers#native perennial#nectar plant#spring flowers#pond margins#specialized bees#moist soil#NC native#summer flowers#deer resistant#native garden#cutting garden#pollinator plant#native wildflower#flowers late spring#NC Native Pollinator Plant#wet soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#perennial#moth friendly#meadow
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Veronicastrum
    Species:
    virginicum
    Family:
    Plantaginaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    The Cherokee, Iroquois, Chippewa and Menominee Indians used this plant for a multitude of medicines. It is used as an analgesic, cathartic (accelerated defecation), emetic (induces vomiting), treatment for coughs, fevers and rheumatism and to assist with childbirth.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    North America
    Distribution:
    Central and Eastern US
    Wildlife Value:
    Both long and short tongued bees collect pollen and nectar as do honeybees, bumblebees, mason bees, green metallic bees and masked bees. Other insect visitors include sphecid wasps, butterflies, moths and syrphid flies.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 7 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Wet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Spike
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Spikes of 1/4 inch tubular, white to pale lavender flowers open from the top down in late spring to early summer atop strong, upright, branching stems.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Whorled
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    6-inch lance-shaped leaves in whorls are 1.5 inches wide
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Round, smooth stems
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rain Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Specialized Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Wet Soil