About

An upright, herbaceous perennial with whorls of pointed, dark green leaves. Tall, narrow, branched spikes of tiny, lilac-pink flowers are produced from mid-summer to 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
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7

Plant details

Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens

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