About
An upright perennial to 1.2m tall, with whorls of lance-shaped, toothed leaves and dense, slender, branched spikes of small violet flowers opening from red buds in summer and early autumn.
About the genus
Veronicastrum are tall herbaceous perennials with erect stems bearing narrow leaves in whorls, and long terminal racemes of small flowers in summer
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming, Columnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Architectural
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist soil in full sun or partial shade
PruningDeadhead flower spikes as they fade. Cut back to ground level in winter
PropagationPropagate by division in spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to downy mildews, powdery mildews and a leaf spot