Veronica, also called Speedwell, is a carefree and easy-to-grow perennial with long spikes of small petals in purple, blue, pink, or white. Here’s how to grow veronica in your garden! This attractive plant grows in clusters from 1 to 3 feet tall, and blooms from spring to autumn.
Where does speedwell grow best?
Veronica speedwell thrives in conditions as wide ranging as full sun to partial shade and in loamy, sandy, or clay-dense soils. However, it does prefer a sunny location with well-draining soil. The soil pH can be as liberal as neutral, alkaline, or acidic with moisture content from average to quite moist.
What do you do with speedwell?
Nutritional qualities
this plant has “remarkable medicinal powers out of proportion to its size”1.used by gypsies as a blood purifier.removes excess mucus, soothe internal tissues, treat coughs, asthma, pleurisy.a tea made of speedwell is used to clear sinus congestion, help eyesight and ease sore eyes.
Is speedwell plant invasive?
Often found in neglected lawns, disturbed soil, and shaded areas, corn or common speedwell (Veronica arvensis) is one to watch. It’s also known as gypsyweed or veronica. Generally, this invasive plant features four-petaled white, blue, or purplish small flowers; heart-shaped seed pods; and numerous small lobed leaves.
Do speedwell plants spread?
Veronica spicata is rarely grown from seed, but it can be sown directly in the garden in spring through mid-summer. Germination can take two or three weeks. These plants sometimes spread by self-seeding in the garden, or you can collect the seed heads and plant the seeds where you want.
What does speedwell look like?
speedwell, any plant of the genus Veronica (order Lamiales), especially the small, sometimes weedy, herbaceous types. There are about 450 species, which are found mostly in the Northern Hemisphere. Speedwells are grown as ornamentals. Their small blossoms are usually white, blue, purple, or pink.
Will Veronica rebloom if deadheaded?
Veronica spicata
Deadhead spent flowers by cutting them off at their base after they bloom. This will encourage the plant to continue producing more flowers.
Is Speedwell a wildflower?
A wildflower to “speed you well”: the speedwell is as common on roadsides verges as it is garden lawns. Travellers in years gone by appreciated its bright blue petals and in Ireland it was sewn into clothes as a charm to protect against accidents.
Is Speedwell good for wildlife?
Did you know? Germander speedwell is an excellent nectar source for solitary bees and can be grown in the garden. Its blue flowers look very pretty when carpeting a flowery meadow; keep the grass short in early spring to allow it to grow through, then raise the cutting level of your mower later on.
What Colour is a Speedwell flower?
The flower of the green field speedwell is a paler blue and the lower lip of the flower is white. Speedwells typically have blue flowers, though there is some varation in colour from various shades of blue through to lilac.
How do I get rid of speedwell in my yard?
In lawns, spot-treat the weed using a weedkiller such as a 2,4-D-based herbicide in spring or early-summer, when growth is at its most vigorous. Repeat through summer where necessary. Apply in cool, moist, still conditions when there is least risk of the chemical drifting onto and damaging nearby garden plants.
What chemical kills speedwell in lawns?
Fluroxypyr has been proven to be the most effective chemical in controlling speedwell.
Is speedwell an herb?
The largest member of the plantain family, speedwell can grow up to a foot in height and has opposite leaves and tooth-shaped, blue flowers. For centuries, speedwell herb has been used in traditional European herbalism for its beneficial properties and was once extremely popular steeped as tea.
