Overview
Veronica virginica is a perennial herbaceous in the genus Veronica, part of the Plantaginaceae family. Veronica virginica grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Suggested uses include wildlife garden, meadow and cut flower. It is native to eastern United States and southeastern Canada.
About
Veronica virginica is a herbaceous perennial with upright stems and spike-like summer flowers. Native to the eastern United States and south-eastern Canada, it produces mostly white, occasionally pink or purple, racemes from June to September. It prefers moist to wet soils and will grow in full sun or partial shade. Suitable uses include wildlife borders, meadow schemes and cut flowers.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Veronicastrum virginicum
About the genus
Veronica is the largest genus in the flowering plant family Plantaginaceae, with about 500 species. It was formerly classified in the family Scrophulariaceae. Common names include speedwell, bird's eye, and gypsyweed.
Wikipedia contributors, "Veronica (plant)", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Veronica (plant)
In the garden
A native of the eastern United States and south-eastern Canada, Veronica virginica is a perennial herbaceous plant that carries its flowers on upright spikes through the summer months. Flowering runs from June to September, with blooms usually white and sometimes tinged pink or purple, making the spikes a structural element in late-summer plantings. It performs well in full sun to partial shade and favours moist or wet soil conditions; it tolerates loam, sandy or clay soils across acidic to alkaline pH. Place it where soils remain reliably damp rather than bone-dry, for example alongside a pond margin, in a damp border or within a low-lying meadow pocket. Use Culver's root in wildlife gardens and meadow schemes where height and summer flowering are needed, or in beds grown for cutting. Planting several together gives better visual impact and supports insects through its long bloom period, while stems can be included in late-summer vase arrangements as part of mixed cuts.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Veronica
- Sunlight
- full sun, partial shade
- Soil type
- loam, sandy, clay
- Soil pH
- acidic, neutral, alkaline
- Soil moisture
- moist,wet
Plant details
Veronica virginica size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- perennial herbaceous
- Suggested uses
- wildlife garden, meadow, cut flower
- Native to
- eastern United States, southeastern Canada
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Veronica virginica
- Cultivation
- Prefers moist, well-drained soils in full sun to partial shade. Tolerates a range of soil types.
- Pruning
- Cut back to ground level in late winter or early spring to encourage fresh growth.
- Propagation
- Seed, division
Frequently asked questions
How do I grow Veronica virginica?
Prefers moist, well-drained soils in full sun to partial shade. Tolerates a range of soil types.
Where is the best place to plant Veronica virginica?
Veronica virginica prefers full sun and partial shade.
What soil does Veronica virginica need?
Veronica virginica is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including loam, sandy and clay. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist to wet.
How do I prune Veronica virginica?
Cut back to ground level in late winter or early spring to encourage fresh growth.
How do I propagate Veronica virginica?
Seed, division.
More in the Veronica genus
- Veronica 'Silver Swallow' (H)
- Veronica exaltataSpeedwell
- Veronica teucriumSpeedwell
- Veronica teucrium 'Blue Fountain'Speedwell
- Veronica teucrium 'Crater Lake Blue'Speedwell
- Veronica teucrium 'Royal Blue'Speedwell
- Veronica townsonii (H)
- Veronica 'Mrs Adamson'Speedwell