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colorful fall leaves of rhus aromatica
Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-Lo’ (Fragrant Sumac) Photo © Mary Free
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Veronicastrum virginicum (Culver’s-root) 

Basal leaves of Veronicastrum virginicum (Culver's-root) in February.
Clumps of Veronicastrum virginicum (Culver's-root) at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in June.
Veronicastrum virginicum (Culver's-root) intermixed with wildflowers in June on the grounds of the Rodin Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsyvania.
3–7 leaves per whorl on native Veronicastrum virginicum (culver's-root)
Purplish candelabra-like inflorescences of Veronicastrum virginicum (Culver's-root) at Simpson Park Demonstration Garden in June
Buds on developing spikes or spikelike racemes of Veronicastrum virginicum (Culver's-root) in July.
Common eastern bumble bees feeding on the tiny tubular flowers with exserted stamens of Veronicastrum virginicum (Culver's-root) in July.
Whorled leaf arrangement of native Veronicastrum virginicum (Culver's-root) in August.
Veronicastrum virginicum (Culver’s-root) fruit—an ovoid capsule with persistent style—develops in August. In shadier locations, stems flop over without support.
Veronicastrum virginicum (Culver's-root) capsule spires in September.

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Veronicastrum virginicum Culver’s-root Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic Elegant, adaptable, easy-to-grow Culver’s-root inhabits stream banks and moist meadows in the eastern* U.S. and around the Great Lakes region. Striking, candelabra-like inflorescences add vertical structure, and whorled leaves horizontal lines, to the landscape. Flowers attract myriad pollinators for about a month in summer, followed by spires of seed capsules. Perennial Clumps, Flowers w/ Pollinators,** Seedheads Height: 3–61⁄2 feet Spread: 2–4 feet Bloom Color: White (usually), blue, purple, pink Characteristics Clump-forming, upright herbaceous perennial Finely toothed, lanceolate leaves in whorls of 3–7 Tiny tubular flowers with exserted stamens densely borne on branched, candelabra-like, 6–9-inch spikes or spikelike racemes bloom June to August Spires of brown capsules provide winter interest Spreads mostly by rhizomes Attributes Tolerates some sand or clay soils; some drought; no serious pests or diseases; deer rarely damage Ethnobotanical uses; good in fresh flower bouquets Attracts bees, wasps, syrphid flies, butterflies, moths; larval host to ~2 lepidopterans Growing and Maintenance Tips Soil Requirements: Well-drained, average Light Requirements: Sun (preferred), Partial Shade Excellent Replacement for Buddleia davidii - Butterfly Bush Lythrum salicaria - Purple Loosestrife Water Requirements: Moist, Wet (occasionally) Divide early spring or late fall; stems may flop over and need staking in shadier areas or on slopes Pinch back mid-to-late May to control height/delay blooms (this may alter architectural effect of foliage); deadhead spent flowers to extend bloom time Lythrum virgatum - European Wand Loosestrife Veronica spicata - Speedwell *It is native to DC. It is rare in DE. In MD, it is concentrated in the Piedmont. It is present in PA, except for some of the northern and central counties. In VA, it is infrequent in the mountains and the Piedmont. In NoVA, it is not reported in Arlington County and and in Alexandria, Falls Church, and Fairfax cities. 
 **Pollinators are common eastern bumble bees (middle left), two-spotted bumble bee (middle right), and long-legged hoverfly (bottom left). NOTE: Inflorescences bloom from the bottom up (not the top down as erroneously stated on some websites). Use as accent plant; in border, cottage, cutting, rain, & pollinator gardens; with meadow flowers/grasses Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–8 developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria Images by Alyssa Ford Morel (clump), Rodin Museum grounds, PA, by Elaine Mills (flower & fruit spires), Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, and by Mary Free (flowers with pollinators), Simpson Park Demonstration and private gardens, NoVA

Tried and True Native Plant Selections
 for the Mid-Atlantic

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Veronicastrum virginicum (Culver’s-root)

Elegant, adaptable, easy-to-grow Culver’s-root inhabits stream banks and moist meadows in the eastern* U.S. and around the Great Lakes region. Striking, candelabra-like inflorescences add vertical structure, and whorled leaves horizontal lines, to the landscape. Flowers attract myriad pollinators for about a month in summer, followed by spires of seed capsules.

*It is native to DC. It is rare in DE. In MD, it is concentrated in the Piedmont. It is present in PA, except for some of the northern and central counties. In VA, it is infrequent in the mountains and the Piedmont. In NoVA, it is not reported in Arlington County and and in Alexandria, Falls Church, and Fairfax cities. You can view the VA counties in which it has been reported here.

Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic plants: 
Tried and True Native Plant Fact Sheets