Veronica

( ver - RON - ik - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of flowering perennial plants needs full sun and has varying water needs, depending on the species. Veronica plants are commonly called Speedwell, Bird's Eye, and Gypsyweed. The flowers will attract birds and butterflies to your garden. These flowers range in height and width, and produce masses of flowers in shades of white, pink, purple, rose, or deep blue. They are wonderful in rock gardens and in borders. 

Veronica Species and Varietals

The genus Veronica is a member of the plant family Plantaginaceae and includes around 500 distinct species. The genus is closely related to Hebe. The best growing zones for Veronica vary depending on the species; for more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Veronica agrestis (Green Field-Speedwell)
These plants are native to Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa, and have been introduced to eastern North America, India, and elsewhere around the globe. Plants have a sprawling habit, and produce white to light blue flowers (sometimes lilac ones) and green leaves. These plants are not typically cultivated as garden ornamentals.

​Veronica alpina (Alpine Veronica, Apline Speedwell)
This species is native to Europe, Eurasia, and North America and has a creeping habit. It grows well in zones 1-7 and 14-17; produces spiked clusters of blue flowers in spring and early summer. In warm areas, it will make a repeat showing in fall. These plants need regular water. Variety 'Alba' grows to 10 inches tall and has white flowers.

Veronica americana (American Brooklime, American Speedwell)
These plants are native to temperate and arctic Asia and North America, where it grows along streams and low-lying areas. They are perennials, and produce stems reaching up to 40 inches tall. Flowers are soft violet-colored. These plants can be eaten, and are rich in nutrients. They have a taste similar to watercress.

Veronica anagallis-aquatica (Water Speedwell, Blue Water-Speedwell, Brook Pimpernel)
This species is native to Africa and Eurasia, where it grows in moist and wet habitats. They are semi-aquatic plants, often found growing in shallow water along streambanks, in ponds, and in wetlands. It is threatened with extinction in some parts of its native range. Flowers are light blue to white.

Veronica arcuata 
This species of Veronica forms a perennial herb or small shrub that reaches up to 30 inches tall when fully grown. They grow from underground rhizome, and produce stems and leaves that are blue-green. Flowers are blue to violet-blue, and form on drooping spikes at stem tips. 

Veronica austriaca teucrium 'Crater Lake Blue' (Broadleaf Speedwell, Large Speedwell, Austrian Speedwell, Saw-Leaved Speedwell)
This species grows best in zones 1-9 and 14-21 and is native to Europe. It reaches 12-15 inches tall and wide and produces short spikes of blue flowers in the middle of summer. This species needs regular water.

​Veronica gentianoides (Gentian Speedwell)
This species grows well in zones 1-9 and 14-24 and has hairy foliage. Forms a foliage mat up to 1.5 feet tall and sends up 8-inch tall stems topped by clustered blue flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer. It needs little to moderate water. Varieties include 'Mrs. Holt' (with pale pink flowers), 'Heavenly Blue' (reaching just 6 inches tall), 'Trehane' (with golden foliage and blue flowers) and 'Aztec Gold' (with blue flowers and greenish-gold foliage).

Veronica bishopiana (Waitakere Rock Koromiko)
These platns are native to New Zealand, and were first formally described in 1926 by Donald Petrie. Leaves are green with some maroon flushing, and flowers are white and mauve-colored. Individual plants reach up to 40 inches tall and have a sprawling habit.

Veronica catarractae (Parahebe catarractae) (Waterfall Parahebe)
This species of flowering plants is native to New Zealand, and is commonly grown as a garden ornamental. Its cultivar 'Delight' is a choice selection.

Veronica cinerea (Ash-Colored Speedwell)
This species is native to Turkey, Lebanon, and Syria. It is evergreen, and forms a mat of green foliage that is useful as a groundcover. It is a popularly grown garden ornamental, and produces greyish-green foliage and blue to violet colors.

Veronica cymbalaria (Pale Speedwell, Glandular Speedwell, Cymbal Speedwell)
These plants have a sprawling habit, and are used as groundcover. They are native to the Mediterranean region, and produce white flowers and green foliage. These flowers typically grow in dry, open habitats, including roadsides and dunes.

Veronica filiformis (Slender Speedwell, Creeping Speedwell, Threadstalk, Whetzel Weed)
This species of Veronica is native to Eastern Europe and western Asia, and has established itself in many other regions of the world. They rarely seed, typically spreading by stolons to form colonies. Leaves are small and green. Plants typically reach between 4 and 8 inches tall and produce purple and white flowers. 

Veronica formosa 
These plants, endemic to Tasmania in Australia, form subshrubs that reach between 20 inches and six and a half feet tall. Green leaves are lanceolate and small. Flowers are pale lilac or violet blue, and bloom in racemes between late spring and early summertime.

Veronica gentianoides (Gentian Speedwell)
These plants are native to the Middle East (from Turkey to Iran). They form mats of glossy green foliage grouped into rosettes. Flowers bloom in early summertime on spikes up to 16 inches tall. The species is variable in flower color, ranging from almost white to deep blue. Popular garden ornamental cultivars of the species include 'Variegata' (with white-marked leaves), 'Tissington White' (with very pale flowers), and 'Nana' (a dwarf variety).

Veronica hederifolia (Ivy-Leaved Speedwell)
This species is native to Europe, western Asia, and north Africa, and has naturalized in other areas of the world. It is considered a weed in some areas, and produces small pale lilac to bluish flowers. 

Veronica jovellanoides (Riverhead Speedwell)
This species is endemic to New Zealand, where only three plants are known in the wild. This species is critically endangered, and was discovered in 2007. These creeping plants form a mat of foliage with stems that can reach up to 6.6 feet long. Leaves are green on top, pale green underneath, and are spatula-shaped. They can have reddish margins. White flowers with purple rings around the top of their yellow-green throats bloom from October through December in the plant's native range.

Veronica missurica (Synthyris missurica) (Tailed Kittentails, Mountain Kittentails, Colombia Kittentails)
These Pacific Northwest native flowers grow in moist areas in forests and other mountain habitats. It is a wildflower, and is typically the first of the year to send up flowering stems in the spring. Flowers are bright blue, and have protruding stamens.

Veronica nivea (Milfoil Speedwell, Snow Speedwell)
These flowering plants are endemic to southeastern Australia, and form subshrubs that reach between 6 and 20 inches tall. The species produces flowers that range in color from white to pale lilac and light blue. 

Veronica officinalis (Heath Speedwell, Common Gypsyweed, Common Speedwell, Paul's Betony)
These plants are native to Europe and western Asia. They have white flowers striped with violet or magenta, and flower between the months of May and August. They are sometimes grown as an edible plant or medicinal herb. Drived leaves can be used for tea. 

Veronica peduncularis (Veronica umbrosa) (Creeping Speedwell)
This semi-evergreen perennial species has alternate, simple green leaves on creeping stems. Plants produce blue flowers that bloom in springtime. They are a great choice for rock or gravel gardens and alpine gardens. Cultivar 'Georgia Blue' is a popular variety.

Veronica perfoliata (Digger's Speedwell)
These plants typically grow at high elevations and are native to south-eastern Australia. They form low-growing plants with multiple stems that grow from a woody rootstock. Foliage is light blue-grey and plants produce sprays of striking violet-blue flowers towards the ends of arching branches. 

Veronica persica (Birdeye Speedwell, Common Field-Speedwell, Persian Speedwell, Large Field Speedwell, Bird's Eye, Winter Speedwell)
These plants have naturalized in many areas of the world, and are native to Eurasia. The species forms an annual plant with broad, serrated leaves that form a nice groundcover over time. Flowers are sky-blue with darker striping and white centers.

Veronica pinguifolia (Hebe pinguifolia)(Disk-Leaved Hebe, Thick-Leaved Speedwell)
This species is native to the South Island of New Zealand, and produces a low-growing bushy shrub with thick blue-green leaves with red edges. Stems are red. Flowers are white. Plants typically reach about 30 inches tall and eventually spread up to 4 feet wide.

Veronica regina-nivalis (Snowqueen, Snow Queen)
These plants are native to the Pacific coast, and typically grow in forests. They reach about 6 inches tall, and forms a rosette of basal foliage with hairy heart-shaped leaves. Flowers are pale blue, lavender, or white and bloom in the late wintertime.

Veronica repens (Corsican Speedwell, Creeping Speedwell)
This species grows well in zones 3-9 and 14-24 and is native to the Mediterranean, reaching a half inch tall and a foot wide (or more). Leaves are shiny and green and produces clusters of tiny lavender to white flowers in springtime. This species can tolerate some shade and needs little to moderate water. Variety 'Sunshine' has yellow-green foliage.

Veronica speciosa (Hebe speciosa) (New Zealand Hebe, Showy Hebe, Showy-Speedwell, Titirangi, Napuka)
These plants are native to New Zealand, and are grown as an ornamental around the world for their spikes of beautiful blooms. Flowers are pale pink to bright pink or magenta, and have protruding stamens. Cultivars include 'Alicia Amherst', 'Simon Deleaux', 'Andersonii', 'Blue Gem', and Waireka'.

Veronica stricta (Hebe stricta, Koromiko)
These plants are native to New Zealand, and have long pale green leaves and tiny white flowers bloom in summertime. 
Veronica spicata (Spiked Speedwell)
Best in zones A2, A3, 1-9 and 14-21 and native to Europe and Asia. Forms a 1.5-2 foot wide clump with 2 foot tall flowering stems topped with spikes of bright blue flowers. Foliage is green and glossy. Will bloom over a long season if deadheaded regularly. This species needs regular water. Varieties are described below.
'Glory' ('Royal Candles')
Reaches 1 foot tall and has deep violet blooms.
'Icicle'
Reaches 15-18 inches tall and produces spikes of white flowers.
'Nana'
Reaches 6 inches tall and has violet-blue flowers.
'Red Fox' ('Rotfuchs')
This variety has rose-red blooms and reaches 15 inches tall.
'Tickled Pink'
Medium-pink flowers.
'Noah Williams'

Veronica spicata incana (Veronica incana) (Silver Speedwell)
This species grows well in zones A1-A3, 1-7 and 14-17 with furry, silvery whitish foliage. It blooms in summertime in deep violet-blue and needs little to moderate water.

Veronica vernicosa (Varnished Hebe)
These flowering plants are native to the South Island of New Zealand. Cultivar 'Mrs. Winter' is a choice garden ornamental.

​Veronica umbrosa 'Georgia Blue'
Native to Georgia, this varietal grows best in zones 2-9 and 14-24; it forms a mat 6-8 inches tall and a few feet wide, Leaves are small and dark green and bronze in cooler weather. Flowers are cobalt with white eyes and bloom from summer through fall. Needs regular water for best performance.

Caring for Veronica

Propagation

Problems and Pests

Gallery

Camellias are great candidates to be grown as container plants on your patio.
A field of thea sinensis
Camellia hiemalis 'Shishi Gashira'

Videos

A video all about growing camellias successfully
Propagating camellias

Resources

Wikipedia: Veronica (plant)
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 647, Veronica
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
​