About

A tall, upright, herbaceous perennial to 2m with whorls of narrow, pointed leaves and branched stems topped with long spikes of tiny, white, occasionally purple or pink, flowers in summer.

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 shade, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7

Plant details

Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Coastal, Prairie planting

Care notes

CultivationGrow in moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist soil in full sun or partial shade
PruningRemove flower spikes as they fade
PropagationPropagate by division in spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to downy mildews, powdery mildews and a leaf spot