Culver's root 'Temptation' Veronicastrum virginicum 'Temptation'

Water

Culver's root should be watered deeply once a week, with about 1 to 1.5 gallons of water for each plant. During hot or dry spells, watering frequency should increase to twice a week, ensuring the soil remains evenly moist but not waterlogged. It’s important to water at the base of the plant to keep the foliage dry and prevent fungal diseases. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings to encourage healthy root growth. Overwintering plants may require less water, scaling back to once every two weeks, depending on local climate conditions.

Light

Culver's root thrives best in full sun to partial shade. The ideal location for the plant would be a spot that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight per day, though it can tolerate some afternoon shade. Avoid placing it in deep shade, as this can lead to leggy plants and reduced flowering.

Temperature

Culver's root prefers moderate temperatures and can typically survive in zones 3 to 8. The ideal temperature range is between 50°F and 85°F for optimal growth. The plant can withstand minimum winter temperatures down to -40°F, but growth may be significantly hampered if the temperature drops below this range.

Pruning

Culver's root should be pruned primarily to remove spent flower stalks and encourage a second bloom. Pruning can be done after the first flush of flowers fades, usually in late summer. Additionally, any dead or damaged foliage can be trimmed away to maintain plant health and appearance. The best time for major pruning is in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Culver's Root 'Temptation' thrives in well-draining soil enriched with organic matter, such as compost or aged manure, with a soil pH of 5.5 to 6.8. A mix of garden soil, peat, and perlite or sand can provide the ideal structure and nutrients for healthy growth.

Repotting

Culver's Root 'Temptation' does not typically require frequent repotting and can often be left undisturbed for several years. If the plant outgrows its current space or the soil becomes depleted, repotting can be done in the spring or early fall.

Humidity & Misting

Culver's Root 'Temptation' prefers moderate humidity conditions but is quite adaptable to the humidity levels typically found in outdoor garden settings.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place Culver's Root in bright, indirect light inside.

• Outdoor

  Plant in sun or part-shade, moist, rich soil outside.

• Hardiness zone

  3-8 USDA

Life cycle

Starting as seeds, Veronicastrum virginicum 'Temptation', commonly known as Culver's root, begins its life cycle when the seeds germinate in spring, given adequate moisture and temperature conditions. Seedlings develop root systems and foliage, gradually maturing into vegetative plants that form a clump of upright stems and deep green leaves. In the second or third year, the plants reach maturity and begin their reproductive phase, producing tall, elegant spikes of white to pale blue flowers in mid to late summer which are attractive to bees and butterflies. Following pollination, the seeds form in small capsules on the spent flower spikes in late summer to autumn. These seeds either drop nearby to create new plants or are dispersed by wind, wildlife, or human intervention, perpetuating the cycle. In winter, the plant dies back to the ground, remaining dormant until the following spring when new growth emerges from the persistent rootstock.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• Culver's root 'Temptation' is typically propagated by seed or by division. The most popular method is division, which is ideally done in the spring just as the plant is beginning to show new growth. To propagate Culver's root by division, carefully dig up an established clump and gently separate it into smaller sections, each with a portion of the root system and several shoots. These divisions should then be replanted immediately at the same soil depth they were originally growing at, spaced about 18 inches (approximately 45.7 cm) apart to allow ample room for growth. Water the new divisions thoroughly to help establish them in their new location. It’s important to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged as the plants acclimate and begin to grow independently.