Culver’s Root
Veronicastrum virginicum
Courtesy George H. Bruso, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Summary
This member of the plantain family has a long history with gardeners, starting in the late 1600’s with plant collector John Banister of Virginia. The common name honors an 18th century physician, Dr. Culver, who reputedly prescribed the plant as a powerful emetic. Indigenous peoples historically utilized it for a wide variety of medicinal uses.
Thriving in part shade or full sun, Culver’s root prefers moist soil. With its tall, branching, candelabra-like flower spikes, it provides color, height and texture in the pollinator garden during the summer months.
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FAMILY
Plantaginaceae (plantain)
BLOOM TIME
June to August
FLOWER
White
MATURE SIZE
4-6 feet
LIGHT REQUIREMENT
Sun to light shade
SOIL CONDITIONS
average, medium to wet
NATIVE STATUS
PA Native
Ecosystem Connections
Beneficial for sustaining both the adult and the larval forms of insect populations, Culver’s root is a host plant for the beautiful buckeye butterfly. The flowers develop from the bottom of the spike upwards, offering nectar over a long period. This nectar attracts many different types of bees, especially bumble bees. Other insect visitors include sphecid wasps, butterflies, moths and syrphid flies.
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