Veronicastrum virginicum ‘Album’ – An Elegant Perennial
Introduction: Veronicastrum virginicum ‘Album’ is an elegant perennial belonging to the Plantaginaceae family. Also known as Culver’s-root, Culverphysic, Culver’s Physic, Bowman’s Root, or Black Root, this herbaceous plant is native to eastern North America. With creamy white flowers and lance-shaped, toothed foliage, it adds beauty and charm to any garden setting.
Description and Characteristics: Veronicastrum virginicum ‘Album’ is a tall perennial that can reach a height of about 1.2 meters or 4ft. Its lance-shaped leaves are arranged in whorls along the stems, giving it a unique appearance. The plant produces dense, slender spikes (racemes) of tiny, tube-like, white flowers. These racemes, which can be up to 10 inches or 25 cm long, open from the top down in late spring to early summer. The bloom period can extend well into the summer, creating a stunning display.
Cultivation and Care for Veronicastrum virginicum ‘Album’:
Light and Soil Requirements: Veronicastrum virginicum ‘Album’ thrives in full sun to light shade. It performs best in average, medium to wet, well-drained soils. While it can tolerate some shade, excessive shade may cause the plant to flop, requiring support.
Watering: It is important to ensure that the soil does not dry out. Regular watering is necessary to maintain its health and vigor.
Maintenance: Deadheading the spent flowers will help extend the bloom period. After flowering, cutting back the plant to basal growth stimulates new foliage growth and may even result in late summer or fall re-blooming.
Propagation: This perennial can be easily propagated through root divisions in late fall or early spring. Softwood cuttings taken in late spring can also be used for propagation.
Companion Planting: Veronicastrum virginicum ‘Album’ looks stunning in borders and wildflower gardens. It can be used as an accent plant in mixed shrub borders or in naturalistic and prairie plantings. It adds a touch of elegance to cottage gardens as well.
Pest and Disease Resistance: Veronicastrum virginicum ‘Album’ does not face any serious pest or disease issues. Its foliage is unpalatable to deer and other herbivores, making it a good choice for gardens frequented by wildlife.
Veronicastrum virginicum ‘Album’ is a long-lived perennial that brings elegance and vertical interest to gardens. Its graceful white flowers, arranged in beautiful racemes, are complemented by lanceolate, dark-green leaves. With proper care, this easy-to-grow plant will thrive in various garden settings, adding a touch of sophistication to your landscape.