Veronicastrum
virginicum
Culver’s root
plantaginaceaeSpikes of white or mauve flowers; whorled
green leaves
3–6 ft. high; 2–4 ft. wide
Full sun–part shade
Blooms July–September
Zones 3–8
pruning Deadhead plants to lateral
flower buds for a longer bloom period
by 1 month or more. If the old foliage
should brown, which often occurs
after all flowering is finished, cut it
down to new basal growth. Plants may
flop in part shade, but cutting them
back by half in May or early June can
result in more compact, self-supporting
plants. Plants cut back by half in early
May flowered at 18 in. rather than 3 ft.
other maintenance This native
plant prefers moist, well-draining soil.
Best growth is in full sun. Staking will
be necessary if plants are grown in too
much shade or if they are not prunedprior to flowering. Performance may
be improved with a summer feeding.
Divide plants in the spring as needed.
May be subject to fourlined plant bug
damage.
related plantS Veronicastrum
virginicum ‘Adoration’, ‘Apollo’,
‘Fascination’, and ‘Lavendelturm’
(‘Lavender Towers’) are similar
cultivars whose pale lilac-pink spires
reach 5 ft. ‘Diane’ is a pure white
selection. ‘Pointed Finger’ is a fun
variant with spikes that point every
which way but up, but it was a poor
performer in a Chicago Botanic Garden
Veronica and Veronicastrum trial.Viola cornuta and
hybrids
horned violet
violaceaePurple, yellow, or white flowers;
heart-shaped leaves
4–8 in. high; 6–8 in. wide
Part shade–full shade
Blooms May–July
Zones 4–9
pruning Deadheading horned
violets can prolong bloom or cause
repeat bloom later in the season, but it
can be a tedious job. Use a sharp
thumbnail to quickly snap off old
flowers, or use sharp pruning scissors.
Just let the old blooms drop to the
ground, as trying to gather such small
flowers could drive the gardener over
the edge. Deadheading before seed
sets can help reduce abundant seeding.
I have used hedge shears to shear large
areas after most of the bloom is
finished to encourage fresh growth
and a light repeat bloom later in the
season. Plants spread by runners;
prune them back to keep plants in
control. Shear back any rank growth in
the autumn for better spring perfor-
mance. Pinch plants before flowering
if growth looks leggy.
other maintenance Plant horned
violet in moist, well-drained soil
enriched with organic matter; good
drainage is especially important in
winter. Part shade is best. Plants willVeronicastrum virginicum