Veronicastrum virginicum 'Queen of Diamonds' - CULVER'S ROOT 'QUEEN OF DIAMONDS'

2020 introduction from Intrinsic Perennial Gardens (Hebron, IL) - Culver's Root with very healthy clean foliage, upright growth and soft pink flowers. Wine-red emerging tips, blooms in mid summer (July or August, depending on the region).

This clump-forming, long-lived perennial usually takes its time to establish in the garden. Though it can tolerate up to half shade, it may lean towards the light in these conditions, and can flop in too much shade. Tolerates short droughts and black walnut trees. Provides a strong accent and good vertical height for borders, cottage gardens, pollinator gardens, rain gardens, wild gardens, and tall grass prairie gardens.

Blooming Time: July/August
Size: clumps up to4' tall x 1.5 - 2' wide
USDA Zones: 3 to 8
Culture: full sun is ideal, half shade tolerated. Adaptable to many soil types and pH (acidic, alkaline, chalky, clay, loam, fertile soil, neutral, sandy soils).
Moisture Needs: average (medium moist to slightly wet)
Origin: the wild form of Veronicastrum virginicum is native to the central and eastern USA in states from Maine to North Dakota and south to the Florida; it is also considered a native wildflower in Canada, too (USDA distribution map). Indigenous to moist to mesic black soil prairies, sand prairies, forest openings and edges of woodlands, thickets, savannas, and swampy meadows along rivers and ditches. Prefers to grow in undisturbed areas.
Deer/Rabbit Resistant: yes / yes
Attracts Butterflies or Pollinators: yes / yes, attracts native bees, honeybees and some butterflies
Attracts Hummingbirds: no
Pot Size: square 3.5" x 4" deep perennial pot
Plant Combinations: Best used as a background plant with companions such as Aster, Agastache, Echinacea purpurea, Eupatorium fistulosum, Helenium, Helianthus, Heliopsis helianthoides, Ligularia, Monarda, Phlox paniculata, Rudbeckia (fulgida, laciniata, maxima) Sanquisorba canadensis, Thalictrum, Vernonia and grasses like Andropogon gerardii or Panicum virgatum. It can also be successfully combined with non-native perennials like Alchemilla mollis, Anemone x hupehensis, Bergenia, Echinacea purpurea, hardy Geraniums, Chelone, Iris (iris for average to moist soil), Leucanthemum x superbum, Persicaria amplexicaulis, Sanquisorba, Sedum telephium, Thalictrum, or non-native grasses Pennisetum alopecuroides and Molinia ‘Transparent‘ or Molinia ‘Skyscraper‘.
Picture Copyright: Intrinsic Perennial Gardens