Description
Veronicastrum sibericum | Siberian Culver’s Root
Siberian Culver’s Root, also known as Siberian Culver’s Physic, Leptandra, and Kugai-sou, is a stately, architectural perennial native to temperate Asia and Russia (Siberia). In its natural habitat it’s found on grassy slopes below 8,000′ elevation. In the garden, it’s an easy plant to germinate and grow.
An erect, clump-forming, rhizomatous perennial with lance-shaped deep green leaves arranged in whorls around the stems, which are attractive in their own right. Multiple upright leaf stalks rise to 5 ft with slender, candelabra-type spires of pale-lilac or pinkish-lavender colored flowers that bloom in late summer. Veronicastrum sibericum can sort of be looked at as a taller version of the more commonly known Veronica (Speedwell).
CThe elegant Siberian Culver’s Root imparts a lofty vertical element to prairies, meadows, or perennial flower gardens.
Takes 2-5 years to reach full height and some clumps have been reported to live for 20+ years.
Veronicastrum sibericum is similar to Veronicastrum virginicum, only shorter in height and with more serrated leaves.
Type: Perennial
Sun exposure: Full sun to part shade
Mature height: 4-5 ft
Mature width: 2-3 ft
Hardiness zones: 4-9