Growing Guide
 
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Bowman’s Root

Herbaceous Perennial Flower, Wildflower

Also known as Culver’s Root, Blackroot
Veronicastrum virginicum
Scrophulariaceae Family
Synonym: Veronica virginica, Leptandra virginica

Tall and stately, this native graces the garden in midsummer with branching, erect spikes of tiny white blooms.

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Site Characteristics
Sunlight:
  • full sun
  • part shade
Prefers full sun. More likely to flop in part shade.

Soil conditions:

  • requires well-drained soil
Prefers moist but well-drained soil.

Hardiness zones:

  • 3 to 8
Plant Traits

Lifecycle: perennial

Ease-of-care: easy

Height: 4 to 6 feet

Spread: 1 to 2 feet

Bloom time:

  • mid-summer
  • late summer

Flower color: white

Foliage color: dark green

The leaves are arranged in whorls around upright stems.

Foliage texture: medium

Shape: upright

Shape in flower: flower stalks with upright spikes

The tiny blooms are borne along tall, erect spikes that branch from and rise above the foliage.

Special Considerations
Special characteristics:
  • non-aggressive
  • non-invasive
  • native to North America - Eastern United States
Growing Information
How to plant:

Propagate by seed, cuttings, division or separation - Divide in spring. Allow plants 3 to 5 years to establish themselves after planting/division. Sow seeds in spring. Take cuttings in midsummer.

Maintenance and care:
May require staking.

Deadhead to prolong blooming. Cut back to basal growth if foliage fades.

More growing information: How to Grow Perennials

Pests:
Four-lined plant bug.
Diseases:
Downy mildew
Powdery mildew
Leaf spot
Varieties
var. alba: long lasting white blooms

var. rosea: pale pink blooms