Studded with lavender blue blooms, the lengthy flower spikes make an elegant presentation. Arranged in groups, they stand proudly on upright, sturdy stems, which sport spaced whorls of neat, broadly lanceolate leaves. This noble Asian native offers an admirable contrast to mounding forms, such as Amsonia hubrichtii.

Blooms July–September.

Size: 5' 0" high x 18" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

True to its name, this singular undemanding Coen Jansen introduction asserts deep rosy-red buds squeezed onto a central spike, surrounded by slightly smaller side stalks all opening at the same time and presenting a unique arrow shape. Cherished by bees and butterflies, the striking spires unfurl a score of tiny violet flowers, while whorled lanceolate leaves attire tall strong stems. A glamorous upright mainstay for any planting, ‘Red Arrows’ soars amongst Phlox ‘Nicky’ and Sedum ‘Matrona’ in a meadow-like setting or a more formal landscape.

Blooms July–September

Size: 4' 0" high x 18" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

A towering inhabitant of Missouri’s open woods, prairies and moist meadows, this regal straight-backed perennial is the epitome of today’s prairie-style plantings, equally comfortable in formal or informal gardens. Crowded with small tubular whitish blue flowers, the slender, nectar-rich candelabra-shaped panicles reside atop dashing lance-shaped vibrant green leaves that congregate in groups of 3 to 7, forming spaced whorls along sturdy stems.

Blooms June–early August

Size: 4' 0" – 6' 0" high x 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

In addition to the stylish blooms, this sought-after Veronicastrum gives you good reason to adore it. When tall valiant stems stretch skyward, they strut prismatic purple shades that are easily spotted from a distance, promising to turn more than a few heads. Dense, round pink buds set the stage for ethereal-looking lilac flowers on candelabra-like spires, further enhancing the natty whorls of pointed deep green leaves.

Blooms July–August

Size: 4' 0" – 5' 0" high x 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

Resembling glowing tapers, erect snowy-white racemes tipped with green buds make a crisp classic statement. The luminous blooms hold court above whorls of horizontally set deep green leaves that grow at intervals along upstanding steadfast stems. Veronicastrum ‘Album’ commands our attention, while it sheds light on cohorts such as Persicaria ‘Blackfield’ or Helenium ‘Moerheim Beauty’.

Blooms late May–July

Size: 4' 0" high x 15" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

‘Apollo’s leafy stems taper delicately into foot-long lilac racemes tipped with lucent green buds, which bend and curve, adding a playful air to its imposing carriage. Display graceful ‘Apollo’ with Angelica archangelica’s rounded umbels, and the rosy plumes of Miscanthus ‘Nippon’.

Blooms August–September

Size: 5' 0" – 5-1/2' high x 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

Packed green buds plus petite soft pink tubular blooms populate the lanky slim, finger-like terminal racemes that are characterized by a main central spike and surrounding shorter ones. A friend to pollinators, floral artists and gardeners alike, this recent Piet Oudolf selection peacocks straight swarthy stems clothed in whorls of winsome lance-shaped pointed green leaves. ‘Challenger’s noble presence and dreamy pastel-colored blooms can be intermingled with Boltonia ‘Pink Beauty’ and Pennisetum ‘Karley Rose’.

Blooms July–August

Size: 4' 0" high x 18" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

Some say the chunky erect spikes resemble Cupid’s love-struck arrows; we say you’ll be smitten with the flamboyant months-long display. Subtended by smaller lateral mahogany-infused stems plus deep reddish violet buds, the chock-full amethyst-colored blooms develop halo-like white stamens atop an enduring bushy habit of staunch stalks wrapped in handsome whorled lanceolate green foliage. This easy-care statuesque perennial provides striking vertical accents, nourishes the pollinators and promises exceptional cut flowers, fresh or dried, while enjoying cool adequately-moist abodes.

Blooms July–September

Size: 4' 0" high x 18" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

‘Erica’s staunch leafy stems taper delicately into long 2-toned racemes of reddish buds and small tightly packed pale pink flowers with prominent darker stamens. Opening from the base up, the slender wands bend and curve, adding a playful air to the impressive carriage below. Display this graceful Veronicastrum with Angelica ‘Vicar’s Mead’ rounded umbels and the wine-red blades of Panicum ‘Ruby Ribbons’.

Blooms July–September

Size: 3' 0" – 4' 0" high x 15" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

This fantastic North American perennial is renown for its brawny upright stature and distinctive shell-pink floral candelabras. Bewitching gardeners and butterflies alike, the long-lasting densely set spires surmount firm stems clad with dapper dark green lanceolate leaves. Undemanding ‘Roseum’ resists deer and most pests, appreciates adequate moisture, makes a stellar addition to cut arrangements and can be positioned near Phlox ‘Blue Paradise’ and Aster ‘October Skies’.

Blooms late July–mid September

Size: 4' 0" high x 2' 0" – 2-1/2' wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

Come late summer, when afternoon shadows lengthen across the garden, we watch for the setting sun to illuminate this stately specimen, its 15 in. long rosy-lilac racemes culminate in narrow, often pendulous, vivid green-budded tips. Strong stems bearing whorled, darkly verdant linear foliage seldom need staking. Pair with arching Stipa gigantea in the border for a natural look.

Blooms July–August

Size: 5' 0" – 5-1/2' high x 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

Coined Lavender Towers, this noble Ernest Pagels introduction is aptly named. Straight-up stems garbed in handsome greenery-whorled, toothed and pointed-give way to long branched spikes embellished with lovely pale purple flowers.

Blooms August–September

Size: 4' 0" – 5' 0" high x 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

Hailed as one of the best Veronicastrum to grow according to British plantswoman Marina Christopher, this courtly perennial earns its keep when chic extra-long, slender white tapers flash sparkling snowy accents atop the proud vertical stand. Attractive whorls of horizontally-held, toothed lance-like leaves first unfurl in striking pale silver-green hues, then eventually turn more green as the weather warms. A commanding columnar presence for sunny borders and sufficiently moist natural-style plantings, ‘Spring Dew’ bewitches the butterflies, sometimes requires staking and partners well with Panicum ‘Summer Sunrise’ and Phlox amplifolia ‘Winnetou’.

Blooms mid-June–July

Size: 4' 0" high x 18" – 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.