About

An upright perennial to around 1.2m tall, with whorls of lance-shaped, dark emerald, toothed leaves and long slender tapers of small white flowers 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
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-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, City and courtyard gardens, Gravel garden, Prairie planting, Wildlife gardens

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