<em>Veronicastrum virginicum</em>, Virginia veronica: to plant, to grow

Description and botany

Native to fresh meadows, riverbanks and damp ditches and flood meadows of eastern United States, notably Virginia and Florida, via Arkansas, Veronicastrum virginicum or Virginia veronica is a large herbaceous deciduous belonging to family Scrophulariaceae, a close relative of veronicas.

This small genus includes only two species that favour moist habitats, among them Veronicastrum sibiricum and Veronicastrum virginicum, the best-known species, although still rather little-known! Its lavender flowering is available in several cultivars in pink, white, pale-lavender or lilac, the best-known perhaps being Veronicastrum virginicum ‘Fascination’.

Veronicastrum virginicum quickly forms a handsome erect, bushy clump composed of numerous stems whose height varies from 1 m to 1.80 m with a spread of about 70 cm, depending on variety. It needs about two to three years to fill out properly but eventually forms tall, slender clumps that are not very invasive at ground level. Longer-lived than veronicas, it can live for decades, sometimes longer.

Deciduous foliage consists of linear leaves arranged in whorls of 3 to 6 (star-like) regularly along stems. Leaflets are lanceolate, rough and dentate, a handsome dark green sometimes flushed purple.

On this elegant foliage, Veronicastrum virginicum produces a long, very graceful summer flowering. From June to September–October depending on climate, flower spikes forming candle-like inflorescences about 20 to 25 cm long appear at tips of ramified stems. They are made up of a myriad of tiny tubular flowers with very prominent stamens that give them a downy appearance. A particularly luminous, dancing display that earned the plant its name Veronicastrum, meaning in Latin “true star”.

Veronicastrum virginicum ‘Lavendelturm’

These very pale lavender inflorescences in Veronicastrum virginicum ‘Lavendelturm’, vivid pink (Veronicastrum virginicum ‘Pink Glow’), pale pink in ‘Roseum’, lilac in ‘Fascination’, sometimes white ‘Album’ or white-tinged pink, make beautiful cut flowers for fresh bouquets and last about ten days in a vase.

Some, such as ‘Erika’, offer a changing gradient of shades ranging from pale pink to fading purple over the season.

Highly nectariferous, they attract butterflies, bees and other pollinating insects continuously from summer into autumn.

These flowers are followed by formation of small ovoid dehiscent fruits. These dried candle-like spikes hanging on stems prolong decorative effect during cold season, sparkling under frost.

Perfectly hardy to -20°C, Veronicastrum virginicum grows widely across Britain and Ireland, except perhaps in Mediterranean-like climates that are too dry and hot in summer: its only requirement is permanently moist soil. It prefers dappled sun or partial shade and will thrive in any good garden soil that is deep, fertile and cool.

With its light, statuesque silhouette, Veronicastrum virginicum brings a country, structural touch to naturalistic gardens.

It particularly favours wetter spots and will be splendid by a water feature, at the back of a cool border, on edges of shaded paths, or in a cutting garden.

Main species and varieties

Most popular

Our favourites

Veronicastrum virginicum Fascination

Huge cultivar offering long summer flowering in soft, downy pink spikes with blue undertones. Plant in moist, even waterlogged soil in dappled shade.

• Flowering time July to October
• Height at maturity 1,40 m

See the product sheet

Veronicastrum virginicum Album

Architectural, this variety is perfect for accompanying other, more vivid flowering and pale foliage with a light touch. Ideal at back of borders.

• Flowering time August to October
• Height at maturity 1,20 m

See the product sheet

Veronicastrum virginicum Pink Glow

Large perennial with graceful, downy-looking pale pink spikes. Airy, stately, it will sit at back of borders, on banks and beside water features.

• Flowering time August to October
• Height at maturity 1,40 m

See the product sheet

Veronicastrum virginicum Erica

This variety is notable for long flower spikes with changing colours, offering a beautiful gradient of pink tones throughout the season. Valuable at back of borders, in shade of large trees or by a pond.

• Flowering time July to September
• Height at maturity 1,40 m

See the product sheet

Veronicastrum virginicum Lavendelturm

This cultivar displays very pale lavender-blue flowers. Ideal to add verticality to borders and at edges of water features.

• Flowering time July to October
• Height at maturity 1,40 m

See the product sheet

Veronicastrum Red Arrows

We love this cultivar that offers a gradation of pink shades. It provides much-appreciated verticality to back of borders where soil stays cool.

• Flowering time July to September
• Height at maturity 1 m

See the product sheet

Planting

Where to plant Veronicastrum virginicum?

Native to floodplains of eastern United States, Veronicastrum virginicum acclimatises easily in our gardens, hardy to at least -15°C.

As for exposure, it prefers sun that is not too hot and partial shade, especially in southern regions. Its only requirement is permanently moist, humus-bearing, deep and fertile soil, even clayey. It can tolerate summer heat provided soil remains consistently moist and cool.

Taller than wide, although Veronicastrum virginicum takes up little ground space, give it a sheltered, well-aerated spot protected from strong winds so it can show its full vertical habit, as it dislikes root competition. Avoid disturbing it once well rooted, as it will not appreciate being moved.

In the garden, it will be at its best as an understorey plant, planted in shade of deciduous trees, near water or on a damp bank, where its luminous flowering will brighten the area.

With its light, architectural silhouette, it is also perfect for bringing breath, movement and verticality to large rockeries, the back of perennial beds (where it lightens the flowering) or mixed borders, provided the soil never dries out in summer. In a cut-flower garden, it will form paths or shrubs overflowing with flowers for cutting.

Graphic foliage of Veronicastrum virginicum

When to plant?

Plant Veronicastrum virginicum from February to April after frosts or from September to November after hot weather.

How to plant?

In open ground

Plant in a staggered pattern: at least 5 plants per m², spaced 40–60 cm apart. For a striking effect, plant in small groups.

• Soak the rootball in a bucket before planting
• Clear the soil of roots and stones
• Dig the soil deeply
• Dig a hole 2–3 times larger than the rootball
• Add some compost to the garden soil
• Set the rootball in place and backfill without burying the collar
• Firm the soil then water generously
• Mulch to keep the soil cool

Maintenance, pruning and care

Hardy and more vigorous than a Veronica, the Veronicastrum virginicum needs little care once well established in fresh soil. Cool, moist soil is essential for good growth.

Water regularly during the weeks following planting, then in summer and especially during prolonged hot spells. Ensure soil never dries out completely. Mulch in June with a layer of turf to keep the base cool and renew this mulch during summer if necessary.

Fertilise each year in early spring or autumn with compost.

Cut back the clump in autumn or leave the spikes to dry in place throughout winter, in which case carry out this operation in March.

Spent spikes of Veronicastrum remain decorative in autumn and winter

Little susceptible to disease, it may only be affected by powdery mildew, recognisable by the white, felt-like growth this fungus leaves on the foliage. Spray preventatively with Bordeaux mixture, and use nettle and horsetail manure; follow our advice to combat powdery mildew.

Multiplication

Veronicastrum virginicum is easily propagated by clump division. It should be done in March or October and only when plant is well rooted, after at least 4–5 years’ growth.

• Using a garden fork, lift part of the clump
• With a spade stroke or by hand, separate a healthy division with leaves and roots
• Replant these divisions immediately in the garden

Companion plants for Virginia speedwell

With its tall, graceful and vibrant silhouette, Veronicastrum virginicum brings rhythm and a structuring touch to naturalistic gardens and charms loose, country-style or meadow-style borders. It is perfect for brightening cool areas of garden, creating evanescent flower masses. Planted in small groups, it provides striking verticality in harmonious mixes of cool colours, pink, lilac or white, or in more complementary yellow/lavender combinations.

It particularly likes the wettest spots and will be wonderful at edges of a water feature but also in large beds of perennials, where it lightens the flowering.

On pond margins, mix it with other perennials for damp margins, with the airy pink or white plumes of Astilbes, Vernonias, goatsbeards, Liatris spicata, Meadowsweet, Siberian iris or bright yellow Lysimachias, Ligularias, and acid-yellow marsh euphorbias for a more contrasting effect.

An example of a natural pairing: Veronicastrum virginicum var album, Geranium ‘Patricia’, Alchemilla mollis, rose, Centranthus ruber ‘Albus’

In a naturalistic meadow-style planting, accompany your Veronicastrum virginicum with other wild-looking perennials such as Asters, river thistles, paludal hardy geraniums, Leucanthemums, and willowherbs.

In a large bed, in scenes of finesse and lightness, it will pair with the spikes of grasses such as Calamagrostis Brachytricha (Feather Reed Grass) and with Molinia or tufted hairgrass, and with giant, airy perennials such as geums and Verbena bonariensis.

In a wildish mixed-border, it will form elegant clumps among summer-flowering perennials such as Verbena hastata, Virginia ephemerals, Eupatoriums, Mimulus, Knautias, knotweeds, or the bristly heads of Echinacea. Veronicastrum virginicum also slips easily between Digitalis and Phlox in varied colours.

Its moving spikes create a pleasing contrast when paired with plants with broad foliage and a more upright habit such as Hostas or ferns like Osmundas.

In a pink garden or romantic border, it will suit Japanese anemones, Achilleas, flowering right through to autumn, and will be an attractive partner for roses.

It will stand out against purple foliage of Acers, Nandina or a Physocarpus.