Veronica (also called speedwell) is a long-blooming perennial with upright flower spikes in blue, pink, or white - one of the most reliable plants in any sunny border. The unassuming flower spikes just keep on coming. The name “Veronica” comes from St. Veronica, who is said to have wiped the tears from the face of Jesus as he marched to Calvary.
TLDR Veronica Plant Care Veronica (speedwell) grows in zones 3–8 in full sun and well-drained soil. It blooms June–July with long-lasting blue, pink, or white spikes. Deadhead spent spikes to extend blooming. Divide every 3–4 years. Shear low-growing types after the second flush of bloom. Watch for fungal disease in wet conditions.
Veronica Plant Size and Varieties
You can find three groups. (Veronica spicata) is called Spiked Speedwell which is a low mounding plant with spikes that flop over when they get too tall. There is (Veronica austriaca) which is called “Hungarian Speedwell, which grows a clump that is 6 to 24 inches tall and spreads 12 to 24 inches. Then there is (Veronica prostrate) which is called Prostrate Speedwell, a low-growing, spreading plant. It grows 6 inches tall and spreads out to 16 inches.
Veronica Foliage
Glossy leaves of rich green, sometimes on the gray-green side..
Veronica Flowers and Bloom Time
Blooming in June and July, Veroncia blooms for an unusually long time for a perennial. The flowers come in blue, pink, or white spikes.
Popular Veronica Varieties
‘Blue Bouquet produces scads of bright lavender blue spikes on strong branching stems with no sign of flopping.
‘Red Fox’ is rose colored
‘Goodness Grows’ violet blue, flowers generously until fall; procumbent habit.
‘Blue Spires’ good lustrous leaves
‘Icicle’ is white
‘Sunny Border Blue’, a hybrid, was the 1993 Perennial Plant Association Plant of the Year. long-blooming in deep blue-violet.
How to Use Veronica in the Garden
Use Veronica in front of a flower border or in a rock garden. This plant attracts butteflies.
Veronica makes an excellent cut flower. For more information see the files on Keeping Cut Flowers and Cut Flower Supplies
How to Plant Veronica
Veronica is happy in Zones 3 to 8. It likes full sun in well drained soil, but will tolerate some shade but the stems may flop a bit in that environment. Plant divisions in either spring or fall. Transplant garden center potted plants anytime during the growing season. Choose an overcast day or plant in the evening to minimize stress from the sun on the transplant.
Prepare the soil down 8 inches and mix in a little granular, slow-acting fertilizer. Add some organic matter to improve soil drainage if necessary. Dig a planting hole about as deep and slightly wider than the plant rootball when it is removed from the pot. Be sure the top of the rootball is level with the surrounding soil when it is set in the hole. Fill in the hole with soil, firming it gently around plant stems to remove air pockets and water well. Set plants about 18 inches to 2 feet apart to allow for their gradual spread.
Veronica Plant Care
Veronicas thrive with benign neglect.
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How to Prune and Deadhead Veronica
If you cut off spent spikes, the plant will regenerate more. Young plants may bloom all summer with faithful deadheading. Shear low growing types back to foliage growing on soil after second flush of bloom. The taller types of Veronica can be made more compact by cutting off stems in June about 6 inches. That delays bloom a bit, but plants are neater.
Propagating Veronica
Divide Veronica every 3 or 4 years as plants outgrow their allotted space. This gives you new plants and helps to maintain plant vigor for the ones that are left.
Common Veronica Problems
Sometimes lower foliage blackens and dies during the season from fungal disease. It usually disappears when dry weather returns. The fungal disease mildew can occasionally show up. For solutions see the file Controlling Fungal Disease
Aphids and Scale can sometimes be a problem.
Growing Veronica: The Bottom Line
Veronica is one of the lowest-maintenance perennials you can grow. Give it full sun, decent drainage, and regular deadheading, and it'll reward you with months of flower spikes. For related care, see Controlling Fungal Disease and Keeping Cut Flowers.
