Veronicastrum Red Arrows

Veronicastrum Red Arrows is a medium-sized, upright and elegant perennial. Its slender, graceful silhouette blends easily among summer plants thanks to its long flower spikes swaying in the wind. They are covered with multiple small feathery flowers from June onwards. These flowers are purple in bud and turn lilac when they open, offering a beautiful range of pink tones throughout the season and attracting numerous insects. This hardy plant prefers moist to wet soils and semi-shaded exposures.

Veronicastrum 'Red Arrows' is native to the plains of the United States in wild in waterlogged areas such as floodplains, ditch banks, forest edges, etc. It doesn't mind cold or shade so thrives in locations that may seem inhospitable. It is a striking and generous herbaceous perennial with a recognizable silhouette of unbranched stems (up to 1 metre (3 feet) or more depending on the terrain). The deciduous leaves are long and lanceolate and whorled around the stem in a star-like arrangement. The floral spike at the top of the stem is long (20 cm (8in)) and composed of lots of small flowers, sometimes surrounded by a few smaller spikes. The spike flowers from the bottom up, revealing different shades of pink in 'Red Arrow'. It starts very dark, close to purple, gradually lightening with subtle blue highlights and becoming lilac. The prominent stamens are then revealed giving these candelabra-like flowers a feathery appearance. Flowering can start as early as June, depending on the climate, and can last until August, attracting many pollinators.

Veronicastrum virginicum does not spread and maintains its height, which is valuable in the back of a border. 'Red Arrow' can be planted among Foxgloves in the shade of tall trees or behind Japanese Primroses and Siberian Irises near a pond. In a border where the soil stays moist, it will thrive alongside various colours of Phlox. It needs no maintenance, except for occasional watering when it's very hot.