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Planting, Growing, and Caring for Veronicas
Veronica, also called speedwell, is a carefree and easy-to-grow perennial flower with vertical or ground cover forms and blooms of purple, blue, pink, or white. Learn how to plant, grow, and care for lovely Veronicas.
About Veronicas
There are many types of speedwells, ranging from groundcovers only a few inches tall to upright plants with tall, spikey blooms. They all belong to the genus Veronica, which has hundreds of species. There are spring and summer blooming varieties, with some flowering until autumn frost.
With so many species of Veronica, there is one suitable for almost any growing zone in the US. As a genus, they are hardy from USDA zones 3-11, although individual species have a more narrow range.
Check the tag or the seed packet to be sure a particular speedwell is hardy in your climate. Just because it is at the garden center doesn’t mean it will survive the winter.
So many cultivars of Speedwell are available, and some common names have been used to refer to hybrids from several different species. Check the tag to be sure you are getting the one you want.
Is Speedwell an Upright or Groundcover?
As a quick guide, upright, spiky veronicas for cut flowers or use as taller bedding plants are often cultivars of V. longifolia, V. spicata, and V. austriaca. They may be called spiked speedwell, Hungarian speedwell, or long-leaved speedwell.
Groundcover veronicas are frequently cultivars of V. alpina, V. repens, V. prostrata, V. pectinata, and V. gentianoides. They go by common names like creeping speedwell, gentian speedwell, or creeping veronica.
Planting
Veronicas love full sun and, once established, are drought-tolerant—all varieties like well-drained soil. Upright speedwells will grow and bloom better in fertile soil with some compost worked in.
Many groundcover types are happy with rocky, lower-fertility soils. They are an excellent choice for rock gardens and will fill in between pavers or cascade of small rocks.
The ground cover varieties are slower spreaders, so purchase accordingly or divide plants the next year to help them cover the area more quickly.
When to Plant Veronicas
Transplants can be planted in the spring. (Veronica can be sowed by seed in containers in a cold frame in autumn, but most people start this perennial as a transplant from the nursery.) Plant them out after your last frost date has passed.
Plants purchased from a nursery or garden center greenhouse should be hardened off before planting.
How to Plant Veronicas
Plant veronicas the same way as other perennials, taking into account their sunlight and soil needs.
- Loosen the soil and mix in compost. Dig a hole twice the diameter of the plant’s container.
- When placing the plant in the hole, ensure the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface.
- Water thoroughly after planting and weekly until well rooted.
- Apply mulch to keep weeds down and keep the soil cool and moist.
- If the plants are not yet branched, pinch to promote lateral growth and a bushier habit.
Types
- ‘Crater Lake Blue’ (V. austriaca) is a mat-forming perennial that grows 12 to 18 inches tall with beautiful, deep, gentian blue flowers in early summer. Hardy in USDA zones 4-8. Great for mass plantings.
- ‘Sunny Border Blue’ (V. spicata) is a clump-forming perennial with erect spikes of tubular, dark violet-blue flowers that reach 18-24 inches. This hybrid blooms from early summer to frost and makes excellent cut flowers.
- ‘Red Fox’ (V. spicata) has deep pink flowers on a narrow spike similar to ‘Sunny Border Blue’ but is a bit shorter, at about 12-16 inches. Hardy to USDA zones 3-8 for the northern gardener!
‘Dick’s Wine’ (V. prostrata) is a ground cover that grows to about 4-8 inches tall and produces an abundance of rose-wine–colored blooms—so many that they actually hide the dark-green foliage. Easily divided as they grow for quicker coverage. Drought tolerant once established and deer resistant.
Andy Wilcox
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do u have any veronica to spare , I have some seeds to spare ,what are u looking for :)
Our Veronica [Speedwell] looks like it burned up! All of the spring and summer rains were keeping it looking wonderful. Then we suddenly had 90+ degree days. Is there a chance she is still alive?
Hi, Nadine,
Veronica is a perennial, so it normally dies back in the fall. The temp shift may have hastened the process—or it was coincidental to the plant's normal decline. It's probably fine—er, still alive, just resting until next spring.
I have brown specks all over my red fox perennial it is still in its original pot until I find out hat is killing my plants leaves. however still getting the red spike flowers.
Dahlias. I bought a potted beautiful white dahlia. Is it ok to leave this in the pot. I live in the Midwest.
Thanks
Dahlias can be grown in containers. The dwarf or low-growing types are best for this use. Make sure your container is large enough--at least a cubic foot per tuber, or even larger for larger varieties. Place in full sun (8 to 10 hours). Keep soil slightly damp.
For more information about dahlias, visit:
http://www.almanac.com/plant/dahlias
Help! I have a question that you've already answered 5 times but I don't like to read. What do I do? ??
:-) We appreciate the smile. :-)
Mine is quite large can I move this plant . (Speedwell ) and if so when can I move it
To control size, perennials are usually divided into two or three plants. Divide in spring or late summer/early fall. According to the USDA, "In spring, divide plants just as new growth emerges. Most perennials divided in late summer/early fall (mid-August through September) should be mulched in November. A 4- to 6-inch layer of straw placed over the plants should reduce the possibility of winter injury. Remove the mulch in early April."
