Culver's Root Veronicastrum virginicum
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ver-on-ee-KAS-trum vir-JIN-ih-kum
- Description
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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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Round, smooth stems
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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
