This true perennial adds interesting grain to garden with its blossom spikes .
Veronica , also bed as speedwell , is a genus that constitute 250 species . Its colourful spires of peak embellish the garden from spring through spill , depend on the species , with some reblooming for an drawn-out show .
Veronica comes in many sizes and colors . Many of the spring - blooming types form matting of low - growing blossom . Some grow fluent leaf that contrast with the richblue flowers . summertime - blooming types may soar to high meridian and are more generous rebloomers . These improbable mintage feature a broad spectrum of colors , including pinks , purple , blues , and T. H. White .
Credit:Grant Webster
Most veronica diverseness you ’ll find in the glasshouse trade are introduced specie from other continent or hybrid . The popular spiked veronica ( Veronica spicata ) is native to Europe and Asia . Plant scientists are working to ameliorate disease electrical resistance and enhance reblooming potential to further extend the veronica season . Some unexampled veronica flowers have heads that are short and ramify , make almost orb - form blossom bunch . you could also find varieties with adorable amber and silver foliation for added visual interest .
Where to Plant Veronica
These versatile plant endure a mixed bag of conditions but do best in a gay site with rich , well - draining soil . broken - growing types that do well in dry consideration are well - suited forrock garden . Veronica varieties that grow only a few inch marvelous make excellent groundcover while magniloquent variety impart potent erect accents to garden bed .
Grant Webster
How and When to Plant Veronica
Plant greenhouse transplants in the spring or early drop . fag a pickle twice the diam of the container and place the plant in the hole so that the top of the root ball is even with the soil grade . Press down on the soil to remove gentle wind pockets and piss well .
Spacing wander between 1 and 3 foot depend on the variety .
Veronica Care Tips
Veronica is an easy - to - grow perennial if its maturate stipulation are foregather .
Light
Plant veronica infull sunfor best results . Although it will tolerate some shade , blossom yield may put up . Without full sun , the plant may be affected by foliar diseases such as powdery mildew and leaf spot .
Soil and Water
Veronica plants preferwell - drain , loamy soilwith plenty of organic matter . They grow in slightly acidic , achromatic , and slenderly alkaline soil ( pH between 6.0 and 8.0 ) . Once establish , the plant life tolerate drouth and need short supplemental lacrimation . During peak bloom , however , they prize some water if conditions are exceptionally dry .
Temperature and Humidity
Veronica does best in area with moderate humidness . The plant is cold - intrepid inUSDA zone 3–11 . In areas with harsh winters , cut the plants back to 2 column inch above the background and adding a covering of mulch provide protection .
Fertilizer
Veronica is not a backbreaking feeder and does n’t require veritable applications of fertiliser when planted in prolific soil . If the land is poor , fecundate once in the spring with a balanced , all - role fertilizer , following the label education .
Pruning
Veronica profit fromdeadheading . Trim expend blossoms back just below the al-Qa’ida of the heyday to encourage a second bloom . Many improbable species of veronica flowers are branched ; if you cut back these too low , you may give the next round of blossoms .
Pests and Problems
Veronica plants attractaphidsand whitefly . These can be controlled with a flack of water from a garden hose , an program of insecticidal goop , orneem oil .
Veronica is susceptible to foliar diseases such aspowdery mildewand leafage spot , which are well forbid by give up for good air circulation .
How to Propagate Veronica
The most vulgar , easy , and fastest path to propagate veronica is bydivision . Dividing the program is also helpful to reinvigorate matte - mould types that die out in the middle as they grow .
Divide the plants in spring or late summer to other dip . repeal the entire root ball with a shovel and practice a sharp spade to divide it into section that have both root and top growth . Replant the division in the garden or container at the same deepness as the original plant and keep them well - watered until established .
Types of Veronica
‘Christy’ Veronica
One of the lower - growing blue dwarf veronicas , ' Christy ' is a late bounce bloomer . This crossbreed take form a matting of vibrant blossom that occasionally rebloom throughout the time of year . geographical zone 6 - 8
‘Crater Lake Blue’ Veronica
Veronica austriacasubsp.teucrium‘Crater Lake Blue ' produces deep blue flower in early summer on 18 - inch - magniloquent plants . Zone 6 - 8
‘Georgia Blue’ Veronica
Veronica peduncularis‘Georgia Blue ’ develops tumid mats of toothed , purple - ting foliage . Clusters of minuscule , dish - shaped flower bloom from former spring into summertime , flaunting a deep blue colouring with white eye on 12 - inch - grandiloquent flora . Zone 6 - 8
‘Giles Van Hees’ Veronica
Veronica spicata’Giles Van Hees ' has lance - shape leaf and obtuse stiletto heel of bright pink flush in summer . It grows 6 column inch tall . geographical zone 4 - 8
‘Icicle’ Veronica
This strikingVeronica spicatavariety demands care with its pure whitened flowers on spikes , towering up to 2 feet tall . Zone 3 - 8
‘Purpleicious’ Veronica
' Purpleicious ' is a loan-blend with copious lavender - over-embellished flowers throughout the summertime and into fall . It grows 2 feet tall . zona 4 - 8
‘Sunny Border Blue’ Veronica
As its name suggests , this cross is one of the best erect speedwell for sunny gardens . With glossy , dark immature crumpled leaves and 7 - in - longsighted spires of violet flowers from early summer on , the ' Sunny Border Blue ' is truly a showstopper . It spring up to 2 feet magniloquent . Zone 4 - 8
‘Waterperry Blue’ Veronica
Veronica peduncularis’Waterperry Blue ' is a groundcover with scented sky - blue flowers in spring . It grows 6 inch tall . zona 4 - 8
Veronica Companion Plants
Coreopsis
One of the longest pratfall in the garden , coreopsistypically produces gay yellow daisy - like heyday that attract butterflies , although some variety have golden - yellow , sick yellowish , pink , or bicolor flowers . It flaunts its color from early to midsummer — or even longer if it ’s deadheaded . Zone 3 - 9
Lady’s Mantle
Lady ’s mantlelooks gorgeous whether growing in a garden or arranged in a vase . Its scalloped leave of absence catch pelting or dewdrops , make them look dusted with gem , while the chartreuse flowers take shape playful , frothy cluster above the foliage . This perennial is idealistic for yield the edge of a shaded path or creating a ground cover in dappled shadiness . geographical zone 3 - 8
Salvia
There are century ofdifferent type of sage , commonly prognosticate sage . What they almost all have in common are beautiful , magniloquent flower spikes and attractive , often gray - green leafage . Countless kind ( include the herbaceous plant used in cookery ) are available to embellish ornamental garden . Featuring square stems robe with often - aromatic leave , sages show off spire of tubelike blossom in shining blues , reddish blue , yellow , pinks , and reds that mix well with other perennials in beds and border . They ’re valued for their very long season of bloom , mighty up until hoarfrost . geographical zone 3 - 10
Frequently Asked Questions
Butterflies , bees , and other pollinating insects are attracted to the veronica blooms . hummingbird hump them , too .
The plant is cervid - resistive and coney - resistant . It ’s also reported to begroundhog - resistant . One theory is that wildlife , include squirrel , rabbits , and deer , are repel by the strong herbal perfume characteristic of many veronicas .
Credit:Grant Webster
Credit: Denny Schrock
Credit: Denny Schrock
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Credit: Andrew Drake
Credit: Andy Lyons
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Credit: Perry L. Struse
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Credit: Bert Klassen
Credit: Matthew Benson
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
