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Veronicas are so useful and come in so many different forms that gardeners may not realize these diverse plants are closely related. There are some 250 species of veronicas, also called speedwells. Many are readily available and easily grown in Colorado's climate and soils.
Some veronicas grow as ground hugging mats while others reach 2 to 3 feet tall. Leaf color varies from glossy green to silver. Flower colors may be rose, pink, blue or white. Though flowers are often presented in spikes, some species produce blooms is small clusters. With so many species, flowering ranges from early spring through fall.
From April to June, Veronica liwanensis, or Turkish veronica, starts the flowering season. Cobalt blue flowers nearly conceal the tiny, waxy leaves. This 1 to 2 inch groundcover may appear fragile but is tough as nails, thriving on winter drought and little summer water once established. It grows well in full sun among other plants and between paving stones and on rock walls. It is equally at home along the Front Range as it is in mountain locations up to 10,000 feet.
For a beautiful mid-spring display, plant V.
pectinata , woolly veronica. This tough little plant is an evergreen ground cover that performs well in full sun and dry conditions. It also tolerates light shade. Woolly gray green leaves are toothed, which adds to the texture. It grows to about 4 inches tall and spreads slowly. In mid-spring it produces blue/purple flowers that last for about a month. More flowers dot the plant sporadically all summer. Use it as an edging against a sidewalk or to soften the lines along a path.
In late spring, V. spicata incana , silver speedwell, can be admired for its deep blue flowers on 10-inch spikes-stunning against its gray foliage. This veronica blooms all summer with deadheading and adapts well to a variety of soils and growing conditions.
Look for the hybrid, Veronica 'Waterperry Blue'. This low, trailing plant grows 4 inches high and 1½ feet wide, rooting as it spreads. The rounded, bronze-tinted leaves grow on trailing stems that support loose clusters of pale blue flowers veined in deep blue. It's mostly spring blooming, with sporadic flowering throughout summer and fall. This plant grows well in partial shade and can be grouped with hostas, coral bells and lady's mantle.
In late spring to early summer, Veronica hybrid 'Sunny Border Blue' produces handsome spikes of violet-blue flowers. Blooms can be prolonged until frost with deadheading. Plants grow in compact clumps 1 ½ to 2 feet tall and 1 foot wide. The attractive lance-shaped leaves are crinkled and dark green. This hybrid requires regular watering.
V. alpina also can be found blooming in spring and early summer. Alpine veronica forms a 6-inch tall rosette of shiny green leaves from which foot-tall stems bear clusters of dark blue to violet flowers. The cultivar 'Rosea' is pink flowered.
Summer months bring V. spicata, spiked
speedwell, to center stage with its many available cultivars. The species
forms rounded, 1 ½-2 feet wide clumps that send up 2 foot stems with oval,
glossy green leaves topped with spikes of bright blue flowers. It has a
very long season of bloom if faded flowers are removed. Some notable
cultivars of V. spicata (which are hybrids with other speedwells) include 'Icicle', 15-18 inches high with white flower spikes. A clump of this white cultivar really cools down the garden. 'Nana' is dainty at only 6 inches and bears violet blue blossoms. 'Red Fox' grows 15 inches tall and wide and has deep rosy red blooms. And compact, little 8-10 inch 'Heidekind' has rosy pink blooms. All require regular watering.
A beautiful mid-summer variety is V.
longifolia . Long-leaf veronica reaches 2 ½ feet high. Its leafy stems carry deep blue flowers that nicely complement the wealth of yellow flowers dominating the season.
Veronicas, in general, do well in average soil with good drainage. They grow best in full sun, but benefit from light afternoon shade in hot Colorado summers. Remove spent flower spikes to encourage secondary blooms. Clumps may be dug and divided in early spring or increase plants from stem cuttings taken in spring and summer.
Effective companion plants for veronica are
Campanula (Bellflower), which lends pale purple or white colors;
Catananche caerulea (Cupid's Dart), provides blue and violet
shades; Iberis sempervirens (Evergreen Candytuft) is an early
spring, pure white accent; Liatris (Gayfeather) brings a fluffy
purple note; Phlomis supplies white and hot pink colors; and
Sisrinchium (Blue-Eyed Grass) is a beautiful bright blue.
Note that taxonomists rename species, and different nurseries may list the same cultivar under 2 or 3 different species names. When shopping for veronicas for your garden, give attention not only to botanical names, but also to descriptions of growth habit and flower color.
Once you've selected veronicas, there's nothing left to do but to enjoy one of the most versatile and easily grown perennials. It's truly a plant that lends beauty spring through fall.
For more information on Gardening, contact your
local Colorado State University Extension office. |
