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Hollinshead Water-wise Garden Plants

Photo:
Nancy Glick

Taxon ID#

96

Low-growing groundcover. Very showy in full bloom.

Scientific  Name:

Veronica spicata 'Giles van Hees'

Common Name 1

› Speedwell

Family:

Plantaginaceae

Origins:

Veronica is a genus of about 250 species of annuals, perennials and some sub-shrubs mainly from Europe.

Genus name honors Saint Veronica who reportedly gave a handkerchief to Jesus so he could wipe sweat from his face on the way to Calvary, with some gen

Plant Type:

Herbaceous Plant, Perennial
Common Name 2

Common Name 3

Oregon native:

no

Western state native:

no

Scroll down for more information on each topic

Plant Maintenance Information

Landscape Application Information

Seasonal Care

Resource Links

MAINTENANCE

Maintenance Level:

Medium

Min. USDA Hardiness Zone:

4

Sun Preference:

Partial Sun

Water Preference:

L

Soil Preference:

Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soil

Fertilizer Needs:

Recommended Mulch:

PLANT DESCRIPTION

Foliage Color:

Green

Foliage Description:

Small lance shaped green leaves

Fragrant:

no

Predominant flower color:

Pink

Flower Description:

Dense, vertical terminal spikes of tiny reddish-pink flowers.

Fall color:

no

Fall Color Description:

Winter Foliage:

Deciduous

Winter Interest:

no

Winter Interest Description:

Mature height:

3-6"

Mature spread:

8-10"

Growth rate:

LANDSCAPE APPLICATION

Deer Resistant:

yes

Fire Resistant:

yes

Attracts Pollinators:

no

Attracts Butterflies:

no

Native Habitat:

Limestone rock and dry grasslands

Attracts Birds:

no

Cut/Dried Flowers:

no

Used by Wildlife:

no

Swales:

no

Wildlife Use:

Photo:
Pat Kolling

Hedge/Screen:

no

Border:

yes

Erosion Control:

no

Windbreak:

no

Ground Cover:

yes

Provides Shade:

no

Rock Garden:

yes

Cover Structures:

no

First Bloom:

May

Last Bloom:

Adds Texture/Movement:

Jun

Ornamental Accent:

no

no

Garden Observations:

Application
Anchor 1

SEASONAL CARE

Spring Care:

Summer Care:

Cut tall varieties of speedwell back to about 6 inches in height if the plants look tired and leggy in midsummer. The plants will appear bare for a few days but soon will develop healthy, more compact growth and renew blooming. Shorter varieties of speedw

Fall Care:

Prune speedwell plants down to 2 to 3 inches in height in late autumn or in early spring before new growth appears. Pruning in autumn is best if you prefer a tidy wintertime garden; however, leaving the plants intact until spring adds interest to the gard

Winter Care:

Long Term Care:

Insect Pests:

Wildlife Pests:

Diseases:

Environmental Problems:

Root rot may occur in wet, poorly-drained soils.

Landscape Problems:

No serious insect or disease problems.

Care Comments:

Pinch the tips and first set of leaves of young speedwell plants as soon as you plant them as bedding plants or seedlings in spring. Removing the tips, using scissors or your fingernails, forces the plants to branch out and create bushy, compact growth. P

RESOURCES

OSU Landscape Profile:

USDA Plants:

Calscape Database:

LBJ Native Plant Database:

Missouri Botanical Garden Database:

Monrovia Profile:

Alternate Source 1:

Alternate Source 2:

Source Comment:

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