Veronica spicata
Blue willow herb, Spiked speedwell
Also known as Veronica kellereri
- Height × spread
- 0.6m × 0.45m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Flowers
- Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is a low growing plant for the front of the border of for ground cover, where the long, grey-blue leaves make spiky clumps. There are quiet, pure blue spikes of flowers from June to September. It is a native, but very rare, in southern England and is most commonly seen in the form of the showier cultivars.
- Flower colour
- Blue
- Foliage colour
- Grey
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 0.6m
- Spread
- 0.45m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Seaside garden, Rock garden, Gravel garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, likes part shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam (normal), Poor soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Bee attraction, Butterfly attraction
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Found in
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