Veronicastrum virginicum 'Red Arrow' - Culver's Root

DESCRIPTION

Culver's Root
Veronicastrum virginicum 'Red Arrow'

Starting in late spring red buds line the upright stalks and open in summer showing off purple pollinator-attracting flowers. Lance-like leaves whorl up the stems and provide a strong vertical accent in the garden and look great when grouped at the garden back. Birds love to use the stems for nesting.

Benefits

Good cut flower
Blooms for 4 to 6 weeks
Nectar source for butterflies and pollinators
Seeds are enjoyed by birds like quail, pheasant, and finches
Stems provide winter cover for beneficial insects

NATIVE INFO

Native Range

Clearings and moist meadows and prairies; Vermont to Manitoba south to Louisiana and Georgia.

Map Credit: The Biota of North America
Map Key: Green (native), Teal (native, adventive), Blue (present), Yellow (present & rare), Red (extinct)

INTERESTING FACTS

Bees collect 66 lbs of pollen per year, per hive. Pollen is the male germ cells produced by all flowering plants for fertilization. The Honeybee uses pollen as food. Pollen is one of the richest and purest natural foods. It contains protein, enzymes, minerals, and a wide array of vitamins.

GROWING TIPS

Prefers average, moist, and even wet soil in full sun. Tolerates partial shade.

Mature Size: 3-4' T x 2-3' W

Hardiness Zone: 4-8

Sun Exposure: Full Sun

VIDEO

Coming Soon!

American Beauties Offer Solution Based Plant Collections to Help you Choose

Quick Tips for Choosing Plants:

Planting a variety of native trees, shrubs, perennials and vines increases biodiversity and gives wildlife a source for food, cover and nesting
Choose a mixture of deciduous and evergreen trees so birds and other wildlife will always be able to find shelter
Plant trees and large shrubs where they will block winter winds from the house and shade it in summer, that will save energy and lower your carbon footprint
Try your best to buy plants that were grown locally, your independent garden center will be your best bet
Think about ultimate height and width of the plant you choose, make sure it will fit the space you have for it when it's reached maturity
Plant nectar plants in groups, to attract butterflies and other beneficial insects more easily
Ask for help if you need it. Most garden centers either have a landscape designer on staff or they can give you a reference of a designer that is adept at native plant wildlife gardening. There will be upfront costs but they are small when compared to having to redo a landscape that wasn't what you really wanted

Our Plant Tags Hold the Secrets to Success

Choosing the right plants for your garden can seem like a daunting task but we’re here to help. Our horticulturists have spent a considerable amount of time researching and writing our beautiful, American Beauties plant tags to help you be successful. First of all, when you see an American Beauties branded pot at your garden center you can be confident that the plant is native to your area and a responsible choice.

When you look at our tag you’ll find information about the plants natural habitat. That will give you a clue to how it will work in your backyard. For instance if the plant is naturally founded and moist, shade and you have full sun, it’s not the plant for you. The “Features” section gives you an overview or plant description so you’ll know what to expect. While the “Benefits” section talks about the plants strong suits and how the plant will benefit wildlife.

A Special Note About Exposure

Full sun: Prefers six or more hours of direct sunshine a day
Partial shade: Thrives in three to six hours of daily sunshine
Shade: Generally does well with less than three hours of sun per day. Having said that even shade loving plants will struggle in extremely deep shade.

DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES

Best Plants for Bees - Double sided printout for download

Best Plants for Butterflies - Double sided printout for download

Best Plants for Birds - Double sided printout for download