All About Veronicas or Speedwells

Veronicas are wonderful plants to include in the landscape.  They are noted for their diversity of flower colors, sizes, and habits. Gardeners love them as adaptable and low-maintenance additions to the landscape.  Veronica flowers are also well-known magnets for a wide variety of pollinators. It is hard to go wrong with a veronica or speedwell. 

Native Range  |  History & Name  |  Culture  |  Species & Cultivars  |  More Information

Native Range

Veronica is the largest genus in the Plantaginaceae family with over 500 species.  With so many species, it is not surprising that veronicas are annuals, perennials, herbs, or small shrubs. They are native to temperate areas across the globe.   Many of the landscape veronicas have showy flowers and originate in Europe or Western Asia. They are adaptable perennials that are widely grown across North America.  In their native ranges, veronicas occupy diverse ecological niches, from riparian buffers to grasslands and forest edges. 

Origin of the name

The genus Veronica was named after St. Veronica, an important saint in Christian history.  Besides Veronica, another common name is speedwell. There are several potential origins of this common name. One version suggested that a veronica flower placed in the buttonhole of a traveler’s shirt would “speed you well” or offer protection and good fortune on a journey.  It was considered good luck to see these cheerful flowers on the roadside during your travels.  

Another version originated from the medicinal properties of certain species, such as Veronica officinalis or V. americana.  These species were used as herbal remedies for rapid recovery from minor ailments. Another version comes from the flower itself.  Veronica flowers were once frequently used in farewell bouquets to mourn the dead, but the cut flowers don’t last long.  This sudden wilting of flowers and quick drop of petals supposedly parallels the swiftness of “human partings” or death.   

Culture

There are several Veronica selections that perform well in Midwestern landscapes. Most of the commonly grown landscape selections prefer full sun and well-drained soil.  In fact, many are noted for their drought tolerance once established. There are a few US native species that prefer boggy or wetland-like soils, like Marsh speedwell (Veronica scutellata) and American brooklime (Veronica americana), but these species are not as showy and are not normally available in garden centers.

If grown in full sun and fertile, well-drained soils, veronicas are low-maintenance perennials. Water well after planting to establish a deep root system.  Frequent deadheading (removal of spent blooms) will encourage more blooms. Most cultivars listed (unless noted) are cold-hardy to zone 4 and should easily survive a typical Iowa winter. Once established, plants can be divided every 3-5 years, as needed. Stems will die back to the ground in the winter and can be cleaned up before new growth begins in early spring.

Species & Cultivars

Many Veronica species are wonderful perennials for Midwestern landscapes.  Of the species grown as perennials, there are two distinct growth habits. Upright veronicas are taller with flowers clustered in tight, spiked inflorescences. Groundcover or creeping veronicas are shorter and have more open inflorescences.

Upright species

Most Veronica cultivars sold have upright habits.  Many of the commonly sold cultivars are selections or hybrids from a handful of species.  

Spiked speedwell (Veronica spicata) and longleaf speedwell (Veronica longifolia) have impressive inflorescences that are often 8-12 inches long. Spiked speedwell tends to be shorter and more drought-tolerant than longleaf speedwell.  

Other species sometimes used for selections and crossing include Gentian speedwell (V. gentianoides) and Japanese speedwell (V. subsessilis. Gentian speedwell is noted for its sky-blue to true-blue flowers in more open inflorescences.  It is also known to spread slowly.  Japanese speedwell is most noted in cultivars with large, showy flowers like ‘Sunny Border Blue’ or ‘Blue Pyramid’. Sunny Border Blue was the Perennial Plant of the Year in 1993.  

Groundcover/Creeping species

Several groundcover veronicas are noted for their short stature and spreading habits. While they rarely reach more than 6 inches tall, they often spread a foot or more.  These selections are best in rock gardens and walls, terraces, or in between pavers/steps.  

The evergreen leaves of Veronica liwanensis (Turkish Speedwell) or Veronica oltensis (Thyme-leaf speedwell) are covered by cobalt blue flowers from late spring to early summer. Blue woolly veronica (Veronica pectinata) features grey-green, hairy leaves and blue-lavender flowers. 

Several selections of Veronica repens have notable golden-yellow leaves, making them stand out in the landscape. Don’t be fooled by their small stature; these species and cultivars are big garden performers.

More Information

• Summer Blooming Perennials
• Groundcovers for Sun
• How to Maintain Perennial Beds and Borders
• How to Plant Perennials

Photo credits: 1: Aaron Steil; 2: Cindy Haynes; 3: Aaron Steil; 4: Aaron Steil; 5: Cindy Haynes; 6: Aaron Steil; 7: Cindy Haynes