Audubon® Culvers Root

This stately Spirit will lend a structural element to your garden. In summer, Culver’s Root raises its slim white spikes, arranged symmetrically around a central spire, high in the sky. Garden writers Piet Oudolf and Henk Gerritsen call the look “Gothic.” Even before flowering, however, the plant is architectural. The dark green leaves climb the stems in clearly defined tiers of foliage. Not merely eye candy, Culver’s Root is valuable to pollinators, too. It nourishes native bees and butterflies, while looking sharp in the landscape. Use it in mixed borders, foundation plantings, cottage gardens, and wildlife-friendly spaces of all sorts.

This plant reportedly gets its name from an early eighteenth–century physician, Dr. Culver, who used it medicinally, as a laxative. No other information seems to remain about him, though his name lives on in the plant. Culver’s Root is a cherished American Spirit that many regions can claim as a native wildflower. It can be found in the wild from North Dakota to Maine in the North and from East Texas to Florida in the South (it also ranges into Canada). Native bees cherish Culver Root for its generous offerings of nectar and pollen. Bumblebees, mason bees, masked bees, and sweat bees are its biggest fans.

Try Culver’s Root with Garden Phlox, another American native Spirit. The chunky pink cones of the Phlox will contrast nicely with the skinny white spikes of Culver’s Root. They bloom at the same time, and both like to grow in the same conditions.

We do the hard part. Our trees and plants are grown and cared for by only the best, local growers for years before they find their forever home in your landscape. Bower & Branch is known for having hard-to-find, substantial sizes and selection. The quality of our trees and plants are consistent in health and vigor—always ready for immediate impact in your garden and instant curb appeal. We believe in empowering homeowners with the truth about strong, healthy and structurally sound plants that are grown to perform in the ground after they leave the nursery for home delivery, always fresh inventory from the grower

Audubon is devoted to protecting birds and the places they need, while Bower & Branch is devoted to the growth of true native trees and plants–no cultivars or hybrids. Together, we strive to unite communities in conservation and inspire individuals to cultivate a better world for birds starting in their own backyards, balconies, or patios. By guiding and recommending trees and plants truly native and beneficial to your region, we can really start to make a difference.

What is the definition of Native?

“In the United States, a native plant is defined as one that was naturally found in a particular area before European colonization. Native plants are the foundation of a region’s biodiversity, providing essential food sources and shelter for birds, especially those threatened by the changing climate. Since native plants are adapted to local precipitation and soil conditions, they generally require less upkeep, therefore helping the environment and saving you time, water, and money.” – The National Audubon Society

Learn how you can help birds in your home and community through Audubon’s Plants for Birds program.

Audubon® is a licensed and registered trademark of the National Audubon Society. All rights reserved.