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Summary

Bloom Color: Blue, Pink, White. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Upright or erect.

Physical Characteristics

Veronicastrum virginicum is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Leptandra virginica. Veronica virginica. L.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge;

Edible Uses

None known

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Cathartic Cholagogue Emetic Hepatic Laxative Tonic

Beaumont's root was employed medicinally by several native North American Indian tribes who used it to treat a variety of complaints[257]. It is still occasionally used in modern herbalism, mainly for its effect upon the liver and bile production. Some caution is advised, the plant is potentially toxic[222]. The root is anodyne, cathartic, emetic, hepatic, laxative and tonic[4, 46, 61, 165, 218, 222]. The fresh root is a violent cathartic and possibly emetic, the dried root is milder in its action, but less certain[4]. The root also gently excites the liver and increases the flow of bile[4, 238]. An infusion has been used in the treatment of diarrhoea, coughs, chills and fevers, and also to ease the pain of backaches[257]. A tea made from the roots is strongly laxative[213, 222]. The roots are harvested in the autumn and should be stored for at least a year before use[213].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Massing, Seashore, Woodland garden. Easily grown in a moderately fertile moisture retentive well drained soil[200]. Prefers cool summers[200]. Prefers a sunny position[188]. Hardy to at least -20°c[187]. Some named forms have been selected for their ornamental value[200]. Special Features:North American native, Attracts butterflies, Extended bloom season in Zones 9A and above.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow autumn in a cold frame[200]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. If you have sufficient quantity the seed can be sown outdoors in situ in the autumn or the spring. Division in autumn or spring[200]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer or the following spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Ontario, Manitoba (southeast)), United States (Indiana, Maine (southwest), Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, West Virginia, Connecticut, Iowa, Kansas (east), Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska (east), North Dakota (east), South Dakota (east), Illinois, Oklahoma (east), Wisconsin, Alabama (north), Arkansas, Delaware, Florida (Escambia Co.), Georgia (north), Kentucky, Louisiana (north), Maryland, North Carolina (n. & w.), South Carolina, Virginia, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Veronicastrum axillare		Perennial	1.8	-		LMH	N	M	0	2
Veronicastrum sibiricum	Blackroot	Perennial	0.8	5-9		LMH	SN	M	0	2

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Veronicastrum virginicum - (L.)Farwell.