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Veronica beccabunga
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

brooklime

A marginal, aquatic perennial with creeping, hollow stems, rooting as they spread, and usually evergreen, rounded, fleshy leaves. Short, upright spikes of small, bright blue flowers are produced from late spring to late summer

Other common names
European brooklime
horsewell grass
see morewater pimpernell

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Size
Ultimate height
Up to 10cm
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
1.5–2.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Poorly–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Blue Green
Summer Blue Green
Autumn Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Plantaginaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Trailing
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

Grow in permanently wet soil, or as an aquatic marginal in water up to 10cm deep, in full sun. See pond plants and bog gardens for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by division or by stem-tip cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Wildlife gardens
Pruning

No pruning required, except to keep within bounds

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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