Toxic Plant Known to be toxic - Toxic to mammals if ingested.
Image of Veronicastrum virginicum
Source: Sundaura Alford-Purvis
image of Flowering plant
Veronicastrum virginicum
Culver's Root
Véronique de Virginie

Obsolete Names

Virginia Culver's root
véronicastre de Virginie
Seeds available at table Mixed Sun, Dry
We currently accept seeds for this plant
Bloom colour: White Bloom period: Jun - Sep
Max Height: 5.0 feet
Max Width: 3.0 feet
Light condition:
Full sun More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Part shade More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture dry Tolerates dry soil condition
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Perennial plants that will that come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
beginner friendly Suitable for beginner gardeners
does not spread Does not spread uncontrollably
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape uses:
rain garden Suitable for rain gardens
shoreline_rehab Suitable for shoreline rehabilitation
container suitable Suitable for container garden
Ecological Benefits: No ecological benefits information available.
Tolerates:
Deer Resistant Deer resistant
rabbit resistant Rabbit resistant
limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
sand Tolerant Tolerates sandy conditions
acidic soil Tolerant Tolerates acidic soil conditions
transplantation Tolerant Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:
plant endangered This plant is endangered

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: No

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Veronicastrum virginicum
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent
View taxonomy on Canadensys

View on iNaturalist

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Atlantic Maritime
  • Boreal Plains
  • Mixed Wood Plains

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Veronicastrum virginicum

No butterfly data available for this plant.

Specialized Bees Supported by Veronicastrum virginicum

No bee data available for this plant.

Plants that grow in similar conditions, that bloom at the same time.

Complementary Plants

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Sorbaria sorbifolia (False spirea)
  • Aruncus Dioicus (Goat's Beard)
  • Buddleia (Butterfly Bush)
  • Melilotus albus) (Sweet White Clover)

Sowing Information

Download Sowing Label (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Surface sow
  • Sow anytime
  • Stratification duration: 0 days
  • Self-seeding
  • Notes: Can be sown in late spring in warm soil.

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: September
  • Harvesting indicator: Pods are brown, seeds are dark, and crisp, and little stem connecting the pod to the main stem is brown (not green)
  • Harvesting mean: Cut stem (including pods), let air dry in paper bag, then shake seeds off after a few days
  • Seed viability test: No test needed before donating
  • Packaging measure: 1 rounded 1/32 teaspoon
  • Seed storage: Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp, shaking seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
  • At least one cultivar: Yes, do not donate unless you know source, and there are no known cultivars in your garden or at proximity
  • No harvesting video available at this time.

Toxicity Notes

Toxic to mammals if ingested.