Veronicastrum virginicum Album (Culvers Root)

Extremely showy, Veronicastrum virginicum’ displays eye-catching spikes of densely-clustered, tiny, pure white flowers with pink-flushed bases and pink anthers, from midsummer to early fall. With a candelabra look, these attractive inflorescences are nicely complemented by lanceolate, dark-green leaves that are arranged in whorls around the stem. Providing interesting vertical height in the garden, this plant is deer resistant, attracts scores of butterflies, and is highly prized for its cut flowers

Extremely showy, Culver's Root 'Album' (Veronicastrum virginicum) displays eye-catching spikes of densely-clustered, tiny, pure white flowers with pink-flushed bases and pink anthers, from mid-summer to early fall. With a candelabra look, these attractive inflorescences are nicely complemented by lanceolate, dark-green leaves that are arranged in whorls around the stem. Tough, long-lasting, and easy to grow, Culver's Root requires little care and is disease resistant. Very adaptable in the garden, Culver's Root is perfect for adding interesting vertical lines and late summer color to the garden.

  • Grows up to 4-6 feet high (120-180 cm) and 2-3 feet wide (60-90 cm).
  • Performs best in full sun or light shade, in average, medium to wet, well-drained soils. Tends to flop and requires support if planted in too much shade. Do not let the soil dry out.
  • Culver's Root is quite effective at the back of the perennial border or in a mixed shrub border. Perfect as an accent plant, it is also a great candidate for naturalistic plantings, prairie plantings, cottage gardens or wildflower gardens.
  • No serious pest or disease issues. Foliage is unpalatable to deer and other herbivores.
  • Simply deadhead to extend bloom and cut back after flowering to basal growth to promote new foliage growth and potential re-bloom later in the season.
  • Long-lived, it may take a few years to establish in a new location
  • Most easily propagated by root divisions in late fall or early spring. Also propagated by softwood cuttings taken in late spring.

Requirements

Hardiness 3
– 9

Heat Zones 1
– 8

Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Veronicastrum – Culver's Roots
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid,Late)Fall
Height 4'
– 6'
(120cm
– 180cm)
Spread 2'
– 3'
(60cm
– 90cm)
Spacing 24″
– 36″
(60cm
– 90cm)
Water Needs Average, High
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Tolerance Clay Soil, Deer, Wet Soil
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds and Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow