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Herbaceous Perennial

Veronicastrum virginicum 'Temptation'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

Culver's root 'Temptation'

a tall herbaceous perennial to 1.8m with stout stems bearing whorls of lance-shaped, pointed leaves and slender, terminal racemes densely-packed with tiny purple-blue flowers in summer

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Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Blue Purple Green
Autumn Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Plantaginaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
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

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist soil in full sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Prairie planting
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Remove flower spikes as they fade

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to Powdery mildews and downy mildews and a leaf spot

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