Veronicastrum virginicum Green Tip

Veronicastrum virginicum 'Green Tip' is a new variety with airy, unique pale pink flowers with green highlights. This tall perennial, of relatively modest stature for this type of plant, is appreciated for its long summer flowering in fluffy spikes that move with the slightest breeze. This airy and elegant, extremely hardy plant thrives in moist to waterlogged soils, in partial shade. It will establish itself on banks and around water points.

Veronicastrum virginicum is a deciduous perennial native to the eastern United States, specifically floodplains, banks, and wet ditches from Manitoba to Florida, passing through Oregon and Arkansas. It belongs to the Plantaginaceae family(formerly Scrophulariaceae). 'Green Tip' quickly forms an upright clump of numerous stems covered with fairly dark green foliage. When in bloom, this plant will reach about 1m (3ft) high with a spread of 70cm (28in). The flowering period is long, July to September, depending on the climate. The slender and long 20cm (8in), fluffy spikes gather a large number of tiny pale lavender pink flowers that turn green and are very attractive to pollinating insects. The foliage consists of leaves arranged in whorls; the rough, lanceolate, dark green leaflets are arranged in a star shape at different levels of the stem. The vegetation of Veronicastrum virginicum dries up in winter and regrows in spring.

Plant Veronicastrum virginicum in partial shade, wherever the soil is consistently moist, as they dislike drought and scorching sun. They do not like to be moved, but do not take up too much space on the ground. They bring rhythm and height to flower beds, and around water points. They will be enhanced against a dark background, such as the purple foliage of hazelnuts or maple trees with plane-like leaves. Perennials that prefer moist to wet soil, such as purple loosestrife, Ligularia dentata 'Desdemona', and the fern Osmunda regalis 'Purpurascens', will also be good companions for this beautiful plant.