I’m not sure RS would be much better for you there... Over the years, we have had both the regular and the dwarf versions of RS in the front garden. Both versions seeded around too much and some also spread from the roots. The dwarf ones seemed to be the worst to control. Many of them needed removing and there are now only a couple of the bigger version ones left. If you plant them, keep a close eye on them....

Oh, I hope you find another home for the culver’s root if you remove it. it is a stunner!

I guess mine just must have stronger stems, it never has flopped whether in wet or dry years, the soil is really good as well.

@FrozeBudd_z3/4 I believe mine "flops" because of the lack of space "ground" space. There are too many abutting perennials that this CR is 'forced' to grow to one side. (I have another identical CR in a different location which is completely upright all the time)

@NHBabs z4b-5a NH thank you.

I think I will keep the status quo as I have no where else to move this CR to! I will not shovel prune it.

Rouge, I wonder if you can find something ornamental that you can put in early in the season to contain and direct its growth somewhat, but like many plant supports will largely disappear under the foliage as the plant grows.

Amazing that you have found space for a second Veronicastrium! i knownthat space tends to be at a premium in your yard.

Amazing that you have found space for a second Veronicastrium!

I did but not in our garden as succh. (Several years ago I put the other CR just past our property in a "rough and wild" area of a public park and it does just fine).

Have you tried putting a grow-through peony grid (not hoop -- but grid) over it early in the spring? That might help a lot. Mine still have plenty of room around and are leaning over, I figure it's because the spires are heavy; easy enough problem to solve with a couple of stakes (plants still young so quick, easy job to support just a couple stems).

Russian sage will give you a completely different foliage effect -- make sure it's one that you'll be happy with. They tend to get floppy, too, from what I've seen of municipal plantings. I love them but struggle with them here -- I think my soil is too rich and moisture retentive for them. I ended up moving some that survived to the back of the barn in rocky, cr*ppy soil that won't get watered by me -- they should do fine there, that's what they prefer.

Thanks for the input. I will stick with our CR....there is too much I like about it to switch it out.

Good decision Rouge. I really think you would have regretted the Russian Sage. It was so floppy for me that I shovel pruned most of mine.

Here are the CR that I moved to the back of a border this spring. They are much shorter this season but I’m sure in time they will catch back up.

white one