Veronica longifolia 'Blue Giant' (Speedwell)
Veronica longifolia 'Foerster's Blue', Veronica longifolia 'Blauriesin', Veronica longifolia 'Blue Giantess', Garden speedwell 'Blauriesin', Long-leaved speedwell 'Blauriesin', Beach speedwell 'Blauriesin'
Prized by gardeners for its dense, erect, tall spikes of bright violet-blue flowers, Veronica longifolia 'Blue Giant' or 'Blauriesin' (Speedwell) never fails at providing a great display in the summer garden. Extremely showy, the flowers open from the base upward from early to late summer. These attractive inflorescences are very decorative and are nicely complemented by the lance-shaped foliage of light to grayish-green leaves.
- Growing in bushy, upright clumps, up to 3-4 feet high (90-120 cm) and 1-2 feet wide (30-60 cm), this Veronica is a perfect choice for borders, cottage gardens, prairies, rock gardens or meadows. Exceptional as cut flowers and great as edging plant too! Best when planted in groups.
- Performs best in full sun, in average, evenly moist, well-drained soils. Will thrive in rich loamy soils. Tolerates light shade
- Easy to grow, Speedwell requires very low care and is fairly pest and disease-free (some susceptibility to mildew). It is attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds, but resistant to rabbits and deer.
- Remove spent flowers to promote additional blooms. Midsummer shearing after the first flowering encourages healthy new basal foliage as well as late summer flowering. May require staking, specifically if your Veronica is grown in less than full sun conditions or if the soil is overly moist or fertile.
- Propagate by division, cuttings or seed. Lift, divide and replant every third year.
- From central and northeastern Europe to southwest Asia, Korea and China.
Noted for their graceful and bountiful flowers, Speedwells (Veronica Longifolia) are long-blooming, easy-care perennials that are prized for the distinctive vertical lines they bring to the landscape. Their spiky flowers, in shades of white, blue, pink, purple or violet, rise like slender wands which enliven the garden with color and clouds of butterflies.
Not sure which Veronica - Speedwells to pick?
Compare All Veronica - Speedwells
Buy Veronica longifolia 'Blue Giant' (Speedwell)
Requirements
Hardiness | 4
– 8 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 1
– 8 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Veronica - Speedwells |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Early,Mid,Late) |
Height | 3' – 4' (90cm – 120cm) |
Spread | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spacing | 12" – 24" (30cm – 60cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Loam |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Showy |
Tolerance | Deer, Rabbit |
Attracts | Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Edging, Ground Covers |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Cutting Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
Hardiness | 4
– 8 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 1
– 8 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Veronica - Speedwells |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Early,Mid,Late) |
Height | 3' – 4' (90cm – 120cm) |
Spread | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spacing | 12" – 24" (30cm – 60cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Loam |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Showy |
Tolerance | Deer, Rabbit |
Attracts | Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Edging, Ground Covers |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Cutting Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |