Speedwell, also known as Veronica, are hardy perennials admired for their spiky, upright clusters of small flowers that bloom from late spring to late summer. Add vertical interest and color to cottage gardens, pollinator habitats and in garden borders.
Speedwell, or Veronica, is a hardy perennial known for its spiky, upright clusters of small flowers that bloom from late spring to late summer. These blossoms in blue, pink, or white add vertical interest and color to cottage gardens, pollinator habitats, and garden borders. Each rosette of narrow leaves stays semi-evergreen, while the airy flower stalks invite pollinators throughout the hotter months. Many cultivars also boast better disease resistance and longer bloom times, reflecting diverse breeding efforts.
Smaller varieties are suitable for container planting, either alone or as part of a mixed seasonal display. The plant's nectar-rich flowers attract native pollinators, including bees and hummingbirds, while its seedheads provide food for songbirds in the fall. Additionally, Speedwell's compact growth habit makes it an excellent choice for edging along walkways or mass plantings to create a ground cover effect.
Speedwell Care
Speedwell thrives in full sun, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight daily, though it can tolerate partial shade. It prefers well-draining soil with a neutral pH and benefits from consistent watering during its initial growth period to establish a strong root system. Once established, it exhibits considerable drought tolerance. Fertilize with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer once in the spring.
Regular deadheading of spent flower spikes throughout the blooming season encourages prolonged flowering. In colder zones, cutting back the plant to within two inches of the ground in the fall and applying a mulch layer helps protect it during winter. In warmer zones, allow the plant to die back naturally over winter and prune in early spring. When cultivating Speedwell in containers, use well-draining soil and monitor watering closely, as potted plants may require more frequent attention.
Companions for Speedwell need full sun to part shade in a moist, well-drained site with moderate fertility. Spring-blooming weigela and the long-flowering abelia frame Speedwell’s vertical spikes with complementary bloom times and similar informal habits. Black-eyed Susans fill in at its feet with sturdy mounds, and salvia echoes speedwell's form and color palette through summer into fall.
