Veronicastrum Species, Bowman's Root, Culver's Root, Blackroot, Great Virginian Speedwell

Does amazingly well in an amazingly difficult area ... by the fence where the neighbor's greedy maple tree shades. Mostly clay, some san...Read Mored. Blooms June - September in my garden.

I found this pretty plant growing on my property along the St. Joseph river. It has been left growing wild there and comes back every ye...Read Morear amongst the green briar, blue flag, poison ivy and other plants that were here when we moved to this house. I have planted hostas, foam flour, and a few other things on the same river bank and just let them grow. We don't try to keep this bank "cultivated"and just thin things out occasionally. This plant does not seem to be invasive. It pokes its sweet, delicate spikes high and adds a bright freshness to the foliage. I enjoy finding little natural treasures like this. I have read that it is "alien" though.

For me, the species is not as robust as 'Lavender Towers,' although it is still a very good performer. It gets 6 ft + tall and is in full...Read More bloom in early June. I had a volunteer seedling this year about 12 ft from the mother plant (and across a gravel path). I imagine it happened when I cut down the spent stalks and they flopped around the garden. It's a very nice back-of-the-border plant.

Mine is at least 6 feet high if not higher in acid clay soil in zone 5a ... it's huge! Beloved of bees ...

This plant thrives in drought conditions as well as very moist. Rich fertile soil makes the stems weak, making it more suitable to poor ...Read Moreground. Very long bloom season.

Veronicastrum only has 2 species, both perennial herbs closely related to Veronica. Native to USA. It used to be used medicinally but now...Read More grown as ornamentals only. It grows to 5' high with slender stems and lance shaped serrated leaves. Flowers are tubular, purpleish blue or white and bloom in summer. Best cultivated in moist soil. Full sun to part shade. Hardy zones 3-9. Propagate from seed or by division.