Veronicastrum virginicum 'Erica'

RHS Plant Profile

Culver's root 'Erica'

Herbaceous Perennial

Buy this from Plant Nurseries
22 Suppliers

A tall, upright, herbaceous perennial to 1.2m with narrow, pointed leaves arranged in whorls around the stems. Stems are topped with long flowering spikes, with deep pink buds opening to tiny, pale pink flowers in late summer and early autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing or East–facing or North–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H7

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Plantaginaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Columnar upright, Clump forming
Genus: Veronicastrum are tall herbaceous perennials with erect stems bearing narrow leaves in whorls, and long terminal racemes of small flowers in summer
Name Status: Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile soil, in sun or light shade. Keep moist during dry summers

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame in autumn, or by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Architectural
Prairie planting
Wildlife gardens
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Can be cut back after flowering, or lefting standing for winter structure

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to downy mildews, powdery mildews and leaf spot