For gardeners with limited time, choosing carefree plants is key to a low-maintenance yard. Speedwell (Veronica) is a tough ornamental that is tolerant of different soils and watering needs, with varieties that are hardy in most regions. Sizes and forms range from creeping groundcovers a few inches high to upright flower spikes reaching several feet tall.

Low growers are suited for containers, border edging and rock gardens, while taller veronicas make good cut flowers and combine well with other plants in beds and borders. Groundcovers tend to bloom in spring, while spiky forms produce flowers during the summer.

Groundcover Specifications

• Season: Perennial
• USDA Zones: 3 - 8
• Height: 4 - 6 inches
• Bloom Season: Late spring through late summer
• Bloom Color: Blue
• Environment: Full sun
• Deer Resistant: Yes
• Soil Type: Well-drained, gravelly, pH 6.8 - 7.5

Planting Directions

• Temperature: 65F
• Average Germ Time: 14 - 28 days
• Light Required: Yes
• Depth: Do not cover the seed but press it into the soil
• Sowing Rate: 6 - 7 seeds per plant or approximately 1000 seeds covers 20 square feet
• Moisture: Keep seed moist until germination
• Plant Spacing: 10 inches