Speedwell (Brooklime)
Veronica species and hybrids. SCROPHULARIACEAE.
Planting and Growing Speedwell
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow speedwell in the accompanying table’s tabs:
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- Flowers, foliage, and root structure of speedwell
- Plant hardiness and growing conditions for speedwell
- Season of bloom and planting time for speedwell
- When, how deep, and where to plant speedwell
- How to plant speedwell
- Watering, fertilizing, care, and pests or diseases of speedwell
- Landscape and container uses of speedwell
- Comments about speedwell and its features
Growing Speedwell
About 250 species and many hybrids of erect or low, bushy, deciduous annual or perennial herbs, 1–4 ft. (30–120 cm) tall, 12–18 in. (30–45 cm) wide. Textured, light or gray green, lance-shaped, pointed leaves, to 2 in. (50 mm) long.
Commonly cultivated species include brooklime, Veronica beccabunga; common speedwell, Veronica officinalis; and germander speedwell, Veronica hamaedrys.
Planting and Care Guide
Blooms
Many tiny, blue, pink, white, tubular, lipped flowers, in tall, spiking, conical clusters, to 2 ft. (60 cm) tall, in late spring–summer.
Best Climates
Hardy. Zones 3–8.
Soil Type and Fertility
Moist, well-drained loam. Fertility: Average–low. 6.5–7.5 pH.
Where and How to Plant
Spring or autumn in full sun to partial shade, 1–2 ft. (30–60 cm) apart.
Proper Care
Moderate. Keep moist; allow soil surface to dry between waterings. Fertilize annually in spring. Stake tall cultivars. Propagate by cuttings, division, seed.
About This Plant
Good choice for accents, beds, borders, containers, fencelines in cottage, formal, heritage, meadow, natural gardens. Pest resistant. Downy mildew, leaf spot susceptible.