Veronicastrum virginicum ‘Fascination’ – Virginia speedwell – Rooted plants – 4 plants

Veronicastrum virginicum 'Fascination', also known as Virginian Honesty, is a tough and easy perennial that will give your garden a cheerful lift from July to September. It blooms with long, slender flower spikes in a beautiful lilac-purple to purple-pink colour, growing up to 30 cm long. The small flowers are densely packed and sometimes the spikes seem to stick together a little, which makes it extra special. The plant can grow 150-160 cm tall, so it is perfect at the back of a border or along a pond edge. The dark green, sword-shaped leaves grow in whorls around the sturdy stems and give the plant a neat, upright look.

This Honesty loves a sunny spot, but semi-shade works fine too. It grows best in well-drained, reasonably moist soil that doesn't get too dry - average garden soil is often good enough. It attracts bees, butterflies and bumblebees, making your garden nice and lively, and the flowers are strong enough to pick as cut flowers. It loses its leaves in winter, but it is well hardy and can even withstand sea breezes and foul air. Pests usually stay away, so you have little to worry about.

In terms of care, it is simple: put it in the right place, and it will do. In autumn, you can tear it up if it grows too sturdy, but otherwise it asks very little. Ideal for a natural garden, a border or alongside water, where it really stands out with its height and colour. A strong plant that will give your garden a long flowering period and a fresh look!