Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia

Promoting environmentally sound gardening practices for over 35 years!

Phlox Subulata (moss pink) in landscape. Photo © Elaine Mills
You are here: Home / Plants / Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic / Perennials / Veronicastrum virginicum (Culver’s-root) 

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 exerted 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) capsule spires in September.

Note: Click on images to see enlarged photos, captions, and photo attributions.
On a mobile phone, click on the information symbol (circle with a letter ℹ︎ symbol).

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, moist meadows, and prairies in the eastern* and central U.S. concentrated in the Great Lakes region. The striking, candelabra-like inflorescences add vertical structure, and the whorled leaves horizontal lines, to the landscape. Flowers attract a myriad of pollinators for about a month in summer. 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 exerted stamens densely borne on branched, candelabra-like, 6–9 inch spikes or spikelike racemes bloom June to August Spikes 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, lepidopterans Growing and Maintenance Tips Soil Requirements: Well-drained, average Light Requirements: Sun (preferred), Partial Shade 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 Excellent Replacement for Buddleia species - Butterfly Bush Lythrum salicaria - Purple Loosestrife Lythrum virgatum - European Wand Loosestrife Veronica spicata - Speedwell *In the Mid-Atlantic region, it is native to DC, MD, and PA. It is historical in DE. In VA, it is infrequent in the mountains and the Piedmont. In NoVA, it is not reported in Arlington County and in Alexandria, Falls Church, and Fairfax cities. **Pollinators are common eastern bumble bees (middle left), two-spotted bumble bee (middle right), and thick-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 (top left), Rodin Museum grounds, PA; by Elaine Mills (right, top & bottom), Meadowlark Botanical Gardens; and by Mary Free (middle & bottom left), Simpson Park Demonstration and private gardens, NoVA

Tried and True Native Plant Selections
 for the Mid-Atlantic

Print Version (Legal Size):
Veronicastrum virginicum (Culver’s-root)

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

*In the Mid-Atlantic region, it is native to DC, MD, and PA. It is historical in DE. In VA, it is infrequent in the mountains and the Piedmont. In NoVA, it is not reported in Arlington County and in Alexandria, Falls Church, and Fairfax cities.

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

Back to Top