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Genus Veronica (Speedwell)

Veronica Veronica 'Sunny Border Blue' Photo/Illustration: Renee Beaulieu
ver-ON-ih-kah Common Name: Speedwell
Plants in the genus Veronica are native to a wide variety of habitats: moist meadows and grasslands, dry, sunny meadows, rocky hillsides, and scree, and open woodland. They bear small, outward-facing flowers in blue, purple pink, or white with conspicuous stamens. Mat-forming species are perfect for a rock garden, alpine house or a trough. Larger species are suitable for the edge of a mixed, herbaceous border.
 Noteworthy characteristics: In some species, long racemes or spikes look like elegant candles that are lit from the bottom up.
 Care: Grow alpine species in moderately fertile to poor, well-drained soil in full sun. Protect species with felted leaves from winter moisture. Grow border species in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade.
 Propagation: Sow seed in fall. Divide perennials in spring or fall. Take softwood cuttings of subshrubs in spring.
 Problems: Scale insects, downy mildew, powdery mildew, rust, leaf smut, root rot.

Species, varieties and cultivars for genus Veronica

Veronica longifolia 'Sunny Border Blue' Veronica longifolia 'Sunny Border Blue'
(Speedwell) (1 user review)
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This fine Veronica was the Perennial Plant of the Year in 1993. From early summer to frost this upright cultivar forms branched spikes (to 7 inches long) of dark violet-blue flowers. It has glossy and crinkled dark green leaves, and grows to less than 2 feet tall. It is a fine choice for adding long-season color to a mixed border.
no image available Veronica pectinata
(Blue woolly speedwell, Woolly speedwell) Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This dense, mat-forming species has 3-inch-tall evergreen foliage with toothed gray leaves. Its saucer-shaped flowers are deep blue with white eyes, and they bloom from early spring to summer. It is drought tolerant and makes a good groundcover. In garden sites, it needs protection from winter moisture.
no image available Veronica peduncularis 'Georgia Blue'
 Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

'Georgia Blue' forms beautiful mats of purple-tinged leaves. In spring, this free-flowering groundcover boasts abundant iridescent blue flowers. It grows to about 9 inches high and a foot wide. It is a vigorous and easy-to-grow cultivar.
Veronica umbrosa 'Georgia Blue' Veronica umbrosa 'Georgia Blue'
('Georgia Blue' speedwell) (1 user review)
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This tough, versatile plant requires little maintenance. 'Georgia Blue' is willing to grow in sunny or shady spots, puts up with excessive rain or drought conditions, and attracts butterflies with a low blanket of sky blue flowers from spring into summer. Small, dark green leaves turn glossy burgundy in winter. Use it in containers or rock walls, or as a companion groundcover to spring bulbs under trees.