Veronicastrum virginicum Diane

Veronicastrum virginicum Diane is a tall perennial with candelabra-shaped spikes, covered in tiny pure white flowers for a long period in summer. Airy, elegant and sculptural, this extremely hardy plant thrives in moist to waterlogged soils, in partial shade. It settles on banks and near water.

Veronicastrum virginicum is native to the eastern United States, specifically floodplains, banks and wet ditches from Manitoba to Florida, passing through Oregon and Arkansas. Diane is a variety of this tall deciduous herbaceous perennial with white flowers. It quickly forms an erect clump of numerous stems covered with dark foliage. When in bloom, this plant reaches 1 to 1.20 m (3 to 4ft) high with a spread of about 50 cm (20in). The long flowering period runs from June to September, with some variation depending on the climate. The fine and long 20 cm (8in), fluffy spikes have gather a large number of tiny white flowers which are loved by pollinating insects. The deciduous foliage is composed of leaves arranged in whorls. The lanceolate, dark green leaflets, are rough and arranged in a star shape at different levels of the stem.

Plant Veronicastrum virginicum in partial shade, anywhere where the soil is consistently moist, as they dislike drought and scorching sun. They do not like to be disturbed, but do not take up too much space on the ground. They bring rhythm and height to flowerbeds, near water. They are enhanced against a dark background, like the purple foliage of Hazelnuts, Maple trees with plane-like leaves or perennials like Ligularia dentata 'Desdemona' and Osmunda regalis 'Purpurascens'. In a white garden, consider Filipendulas.