The Veronica - Speedwell Veronica species Narrative by Rose Nordenberg, Colorado State University Extension Tri River Area Master Gardener

Turkish Veronica (Veronica liwanensis)

• Scientific Name: Veronica
• Family: Scrophulariaceae
  • · Family: Figwort - chiefly herbaceous plants, leaves with no stipules, an irregular bilabiate corolla and 2-celled ovary.
• Hardiness zones: All, depending on variety.
• Type: herbaceous perennial (semi evergreen)

The Veronica comes from a large, varied genus of hardy annuals and perennials of Europe, Asia and other parts of the world. They are characterized by attractive foliage. Flowers are generally tiny but effective because they are carried in freely produced, 6" to 12", many-flowered spikes or racemes predominantly blue with some varieties in pink, rose or white. These plants are attractive in rock gardens or as a sunny border.

Hybrids include a number of midsummer-blooming upright bushy perennials from 10" to 18" high. The choice varieties include the 'Barcarole' that is 10" tall with rose pink flowers, the prostrate 'Crater Lake Blue' with 10" bright blue flower spikes, the 15" to 18" white flower spikes of the 'Icicle' and the 'Sunny Border Blue' is a choice blue with a long bloom season about 18" tall. The Veronica Speedwell attracts butterflies and hummingbirds and is resistant to deer.

Veronicas do best in sun but will tolerate partial shade. They prefer moist well-drained alkaline to acid soil. Most need regular watering. The prostrate, mat forming varieties will tolerate less frequent watering than bushy type.

Seeds should be sown in the spring. Cuttings can be taken in the summer. It is advised to divide the plants every 4 years, best done in the fall. They should be planted 8" to 15" apart. Remove fading spikes to prolong flowering.

For shrubby plants sold as Veronicas, see Hebe.

Spent flower spikes may require removal to keep plant attractive.

In moist areas, slugs can also be a problem with some varieties.

USDA Zones 3-8
Cultivar 'Blue Peter'

This semi-evergreen perennial has the most intense blue color range and the formation of the flower spikes is extremely attractive. It's an excellent choice by a garden pool or beside a slow-moving stream. The full height is from 18" to 24" with a spread of 15" and blooms from mid to late summer. The oval to lance-shaped 2" to 5" basal leaves are dark green. These hardy plants like alkaline to acid soil in full sun to light shade. Cut back faded flower spikes immediately to promote rebloom. The bare root is planted in mid autumn to mid spring with the container-grown being planted mid autumn through spring to summer. Divide established clumps in mid autumn to mid spring. They should be cut to ground level in autumn and fed with general fertilizer in spring. Its upright habit does not always mix well with other plants. The flowers are good for cutting. Some varieties include 'Barcarolle' and 'Crater Lake Blue'. Miniature variety 'Nana' grows 6" high with violet blue flowers from June through July. Other cultivars are 'Blue Fox' with bright lavender-blue flowers, 'Red Fox' with deep rose flowers, 'Snow White' that is 18" tall with white flowers, 'Heidekind' 12" tall with compact rose-pink flowers and 'Icicle an 18" white hybrid. Most cultivars are a cross between V. longifolia and V. spicata.

USDA Zones 4-8
'Long-leaf Veronica' var. Subsessilis

One of the tallest veronicas with striking royal blue flowers above handsome clumps of rich green foliage. The stems are leafy and rather closely set with narrow, pointed leaves. Should be planted 12" apart and divided every 4 years. It likes full sun with humus-rich, well-drained, moist soil and plenty of moisture. Plant container-grown plants in spring spacing them 2' apart. If grown in shade or overly fertilized they may need staking. They are usually pest free. Other varieties have white, purple or pink flowers. The 'Blue Giant is from 3' to 3 ½' tall with lavender-blue flowers. 'Foester's Blue' is 1 ½' long-blooming blue flowered while the 'Romilley Purple' has violet-blue flowers on 2' stems. The 'Sunny Border Blue' is long blooming, 2', with dark blue flowers.

USDA Zones 3-8

These are great for edging. The leaves are so heavily clothed with hair, the green is obscured and they look almost white. The 3" leaves form tight ground cover to one foot wide. Flowers on hoary stem 1' to 1 ½' high are clear blue. When flowers finish blooming in July the old stalks should be cut off to take advantage of low tufted foliage. It likes full sun and average, sandy, well-drained soil. Plant 12" apart and divide every 4 years. The variety glauca has more silvery foliage, 'Rosea' has pinkish-blue flowers, 'Barcarolle' has pink flowers, 'Minuet' has pink flowers and 'Sarabande' has violet-blue flowers.

They are good as small scale ground cover, paving plant or cover for small bulbs. It's ½", shiny green leaves clothe prostrate stems give a moss like effect. In spring the few lavender to white flower clusters consist of ¼" wide individual flowers. They will take some shade.

USDA Zones 3-10 (up to 10,000')

Has breathtaking cobalt blue blooms that completely cover leaves from April to June with little or no rebloom. The dense, less aggressive, spent flower spikes disappear on their own. Waxy, nearly succulent teardrop leaves form dense flat mat. Reliably evergreen foliage turns rich purple in winter hot sun. Good used between boulders and flagstones. The height is 1" and width 18". Likes sun or part shade with water average to completely dry once established.

Reference:

Apps, Darrel. Editor, 1993. Hearst Garden Guides, Perennials, Smallwood & Stewart, Inc., New York City.
Cox, Jeff and Marilyn. 1985. The Perennial Garden, Rodale Press, Emmaus, Pennsylvania.
Davis, Brian. 1989. The Complete Guide to Garden Plants, Gallery Books, New York City.
Denver Water. 1996. Xeriscape Plant Guide, Fulcrum Publishing.
Free, Montaque. All About the Perennial Garden, American Garden Guild & Doubleday & Co. Inc., Garden City, NY.
Roth, Susan A. 1995. Better Homes and Gardens, Complete Guide to Flower Gardening, Meredith Corp., Des Moines, Iowa.
Sunset Books. 1995. Western Garden Book, Sunset Publishing.
The Time-Life Gardener's Guide, Perennials. 1988. Time-Life Books Inc.

The `Gardens at the Mesa County Extension Office'