Veronicastrum virginicum – Culver’s Root; Beaumont’s Root

A native of fields, prairies, and moist woods in the Central and Eastern US and Southern Canada. Also known as Beaumont’s Root or Bowman’s Root, the plant’s perennial unbranched stalks of whorled leaves emerge in Spring, followed by branching white flower spikes from June – September. Our ecotype has white flowers, however purple cultivars also exist. This plant prefers a shaded area during the first few months of growth, but full sun during flowering; making it an excellent addition to garden edges, field margins, and mature polyculture designs.

The plant is well-liked by pollinating insects in Eastern and Central N. America and is particularly useful when planted near Raspberries and Blackberries or other fruit-bearing plants that flower at the same time of year. The plant has traditional medicinal uses as well.

Culver’s Root is of particular importance in New England where prairie ecosystems are rare. Few natural occurrences of the plant remain in New England and it is considered threatened in Massachusetts. The plant particularly enjoys areas with cooler Summers, or alternatively, areas that are well sheltered from the scorching heat of Summer.

Prefers areas with moist shady soils and full to part sun; i.e. field edges.

Tolerant of most soil types.