Photo: Crazytwoknobs, CC BY 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Perennial
Culver's root (Veronicastrum virginicum): when and how to prune
Veronicastrum virginicum
Culver's root (Veronicastrum virginicum) is best pruned in March.
| Pruning months | March |
|---|---|
| Flowering | July–September |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees and butterflies |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Culver's root (Veronicastrum virginicum): when to prune it?
Leave the stems standing all winter and cut them down in late February or March, before the new shoots appear.
What else to prune in those months? March
Culver's root (Veronicastrum virginicum): how to prune it?
- Cut all stems back to just above the ground.
- Do not wait too long: the new shoots appear in April and are easily damaged.
- There is no need to deadhead: the seed stems are what makes it attractive in winter.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: March.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Culver's root (Veronicastrum virginicum) flowers in July–September, when it attracts bees and butterflies.
- If you only cut back in March, the old stems stand through the winter: insects overwinter in them and birds eat the seeds.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Culver's root (Veronicastrum virginicum) · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.