Culver's Root

Veronicastrum virginicum

Culver’s Root has strong tall stems that branch at the top to create multiple stalks which bloom from the bottom up with a candelabra-like appearance. This flowering method provides a wonderfully long bloom time of small white-pinkish tubular flowers that attract a wide range of pollinators including Swallowtail (and other) butterflies, bees, flies and wasps.

Culver’s Root does well with a Chelsea Chop if you want to keep its height down, or increase bloom quantity. Its deep roots stabilize soil, improve infiltration, and contribute to healthy watershed systems.

Indigenous peoples and early settlers used Culver’s Root for its purgative and tonic properties to treat fevers, backaches, dissolve kidney stones, treat the liver and more. Note that Culver’s Root is toxic and can cause violent vomiting and diarrhea if ingested fresh.