If you’re someone who wants a flower garden full of color but also looks for low-maintenance plants, perennials that don’t need to be replanted every year (Distinguishing them from annuals), is the way to go. Culver’s root (Veronicastrum virginicum) is one of the most spectacular perennials you can plant. This flower is incredibly low maintenance and will keep your garden blooming with purple flowers for months. Like many perennials, it is a Self-seeding flowering plant (or, alternatively, can be sown by hand from seed) which, given the right conditions, will guarantee blooms for years.
Culver’s is a wildflower native to the northeastern United States that has a wide hardiness range between USDA zones 3 through 8. Commonly found in woodlands, wild grasslands, or prairie fields, the culver’s root is easily identified by its height, which is 5-7 feet, green and 5-7 feet around. In contrast to the foliage are the tall, conical, multi-flowered flowers that are usually white, blue or pink in color.
If you really want to get the most out of these wildflowers, you should choose one of the purple-flowered cultivars such as Veronicastrum virginicum ‘Lavendelterm’ or ‘Fascination.’ ‘Lavendelterm’ flowers are prickly and lavender in color, while those on ‘Fascination’ plants are more bulbous and deep purple. The roots of many culver bloom in June to July or August. To get the most out of your flowers, cut them after the first bloom has finished. This will encourage new foliage, and may even encourage other flowers!
Plant culver roots to attract pollinators and birds
Regardless of the cultivar you choose, most cultivars have the same general planting requirements. Flowers need to be planted in moist and well-drained soil, with a relatively neutral pH level between 6 and 8. Another big requirement is that Culver’s root is a full sun plant, meaning it needs at least 6 hours of sunlight per day to grow optimally (although it will do well in light shade). A good layer of mulch will help retain soil moisture, but other than that, these flowers don’t need much.
Besides boasting beautiful flowers, culver roots can also greatly improve the health of your large flower garden. Like Liatris (Liatris spp.) – second Easy growing purple flower – Culver’s root is exceptionally good at attracting pollinators. The purple flowers of the cultivars ‘Lavendelturm’ and ‘Fascination’ are particularly attractive, another reason to plant them in your yard. Native North American bees and honeybees are especially drawn to culver’s roots, although butterflies also like them. These culver roots make a wonderful, colorful addition to prairie gardens that include native grasses and A full sun ground cover plant.
That is also the origin of Culver Great flower to plant next to a birdbath. Not only will birds eat the bugs attracted to the flowers, but the seeds that fall as the flowers fade (assuming you don’t have deadhead blooms) are also a great food source for your avian visitors.
