Also called Veronica virginicum. A perennial, forming an impressive large clump, up to 7 x 4 feet, that is native to northeastern North America ( Manitoba to Ontario to Massachusetts; south to Texas to Florida ). Slow to establish, taking a few years but worth the wait.
The toothed, lance-shaped leaves, up to 6 inches in length, are arranged in whorls of 4 to 7 around the stems. The foliage is deep green.
The small white flowers are borne on long wands from mid summer into early autumn.
The flowers attract butterflies and honey bees.
Veronicastrum sibiricum is very similar except for having blue flowers on thicker spikes and being native from eastern Russia to Japan.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in full sun to partial shade on moist to wet, fertile, well drained soil. Too much shade will cause plants to be spindly and flop over. Lack of drainage during winter may cause loss of plants.
Pest and disease problems do not normally occur, though rare cases of mildew and leaf spot are known.
Propagation is from seed or division during fall or spring. New plants are best installed during spring before active growth begins.
* photos taken on July 1 2010 in Columbia, MD
Album
Pure white flowers, otherwise identical.
* photo of unknown internet source
* photos taken on June 30 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC
Apollo
Reddish-purple flowers.
Fascination
Reaches up to 6 feet with lilac-pink flowers borne in long racemes up to 15 inches in length.
Lavender
Lavender flowers
Lilac Carina
Lavender-blue flowers.
* photo taken on July 1 2011 in Columbia, MD
Rosea
Reaches a maximum size of 7 x 4 feet with pale pink flowers borne in long spikes form mid summer into early autumn.
>* photos taken on Aug 2 2013 in Stratford, Ontario
0 comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.