Veronica

Botanical/Latin
   Veronica

Pronunciation
   ver-ron-ni-ka

Common Name
   Speedwell

Hardiness zone range
   3 - 9

General Comments
Easy to grow perennials that begin flowering in early summer and continue for a long time through the summer until autumn. They vary in size and type from small ground huggers to taller clump forming ones with impressive flower spikes.

Each delightful flower spike is composed of dozens of densely arranged, small florets, which open progressively from the base upwards to form a long lasting spike. The variety selection includes white, pink, and rose shades, but the predominant and most highly valued color is blue- this is the choicest color in the plant world and in Veronicas it is present in the most glorious and intense shades.

Uses
The attractive foliage and the long period of flowering mean they have become firm favorites in all sorts of situations, from traditional beds and borders, to old fashioned cottage gardens, and, of course, in modern style layouts. The lower growing types are often placed towards the front of beds and borders, along the edges of paths, in rock gardens, on raised beds, or on sloping banks where they form swathes of ground cover. The taller ones make fine anchor plants in perennial borders, and are often placed in groups towards the middle or even the back to raise their upright spikes above surrounding companions.

Deer seem to find them less palatable than many other species, so while they are not deer resistant, they do not seem to be part of their favored menu! Hummingbirds, on the other hand, like to visit the flowers and sip the nectar.

They are good for cutting as fresh flowers, lasting up to a week when cut at the right stage and conditioned. See Splendor Suggestions for details.

Light Preference
Sun to Partial shade

Culture
Reliable, easy to grow, and long lived, they perform best in loamy, well drained soils that have the capacity of retaining moisture in summer. This can be enhanced by adding compost or other humus media at planting time and mulching afterwards. After flowering, trim off the dead heads; this will encourage new growth and renewed flowering.

Older clumps can be lifted and divided when they become overcrowded and begin to lose vigor. The best time to do this is in spring when the young growth is emerging above the surface.

Background
The common name Speedwell is thought to have come from the little European plants (Veronica officinalis) that grew by the waysides to cheer weary travelers. They were used in medieval times as healing herbs, and they became the basis for `Swiss tea' a tonic tea for liver, digestive, and intestinal complaints. The botanical name may have come from the Greek words phero (I bring) and nike (victory) referring to their curative properties. More popular is the belief that it refers to Saint Veronica who wiped Jesus' face when He fell carrying the cross on the road to Calvary. Whichever you believe, they are fine garden plants and worthy of a place in every garden- perhaps even to help cheer the face of a weary, hard working, but satisfied gardener!

Splendor Suggestions
Since the florets at the bottom of the flowering spikes tend to deteriorate before the top ones open, it is important to cut the stems when the first flowers at the base of the spikes are opening. Cutting them early in the morning or late in the evening, then conditioning them by removing the lower leaves and placing the stems in cool water with some floral preservative, will also help to extend the vase life. Another point worth noting is that Veronica flowers are sensitive to the effects of ethylene gas, which is released by other flowers and ripening fruit, so consider placing the arrangements in well ventilated places, away from other flowers and fruit.

Companion Plants
They associate well with the cool, lime-green, ruffled foliage of Alchemilla mollis (lady's mantle). For a silvery contrast, try them with the ferny foliage of Artemisias or the foamy flowers of Gypsophila (Baby's Breath). Where an eye catching ground cover is required, they can be planted among drifts of Lamium 'White Nancy', the flat habit and silvery leaves create both color and contrast. The blue forms make lovely companions for lemon flowering plants like Coreopsis `Moonbeam' or Hemerocallis `Hyperion', and for later combinations try them with white flowering summer Phlox `David'.