Description

‘Lavender Towers’ is a cultivar of Culver’s root – slightly shorter and more compact, with pale lavender flowers instead of white. In Dr. Annie White’s PhD research, the goal of which was to evaluate whether native plant cultivars can provide the same ecological value as native species for pollinators in pollinator habitat restorations, ‘Lavender Towers’ was the only cultivar to attract more pollinators than the corresponding straight species.
See more detail at https://www.ecolandscaping.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Designing-Pollinator-Friendly-Landscapes-Annie-White.pdf

Unbranched stems are topped by spiky racemes which are densely-clustered with tiny tubular pale lavender florets, and open from the top down. The inflorescences branch several times giving the appearance of an elegant candelabra. Narrowly oval, dark-green leaves are arranged in whorls around the stem.

Attracts bees, butterflies. Special value to native bees and supports beneficial insects.

The genus name, a combination of Veronica and the suffix astrum (“false”), describes this plant’s resemblance to the Veronicas. It is the only species in the genus.

Tolerates light shade but tends to flop and require support if grown in too much shade. Soils should not be allowed to dry out. Plants can be slow to establish in the garden – not reaching their potential for three or so years.

If a shorter height is desired, cut foliage back in early summer to reduce the final height of the plant. Deadhead to promote additional bloom, or may be cut back to basal growth after bloom to receive a second flush of growth and a second bloom.

Height: 4-5 ft.
Spread: 2 ft.
Family: Plantaginaceae
Bloom time: August to September
Sun: full sun
Water: medium to wet
Rain garden
Deer resistant

photo credit: Meneerke bloem