Veronica incana
silver speedwell
A compact, clump-forming herbaceous perennial with lance-shaped, toothed grey-green leaves and upright, slender stems of small, star-shaped purple-blue flowers which appear in spring and summer
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Blue Purple | Green Grey Silver | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Blue Purple | Green Grey Silver | ||
Autumn | Green Grey Silver | |||
Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or West–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Exposed or ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Plantaginaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming, Columnar upright
- Genus
Veronica can be annuals, perennials or sub-shrubs with paired leaves and small flowers usually in terminal or axillary racemes or spikes
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Tolerant of a wide range of soils, as long as not extremely dry or prone to waterlogging, but prefers loamy, moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soils in full sun or light shade
Propagation
Propagate by division
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Deadhead after flowering, remove faded flower stems in the autumn
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids
Diseases
May be susceptible to downy mildews, fungal leaf spot, fungal rot, Phytophthora and sometimes honey fungus
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