Veronica peduncularis (syn. V. umbrosa) 'Georgia Blue' - Georgia Blue Veronica

A lovely combination of showy blossoms and dense low growing foliage; small soft blue saucer shaped blossoms surround the long flowering racemes; an excellent groundcover

Height: Plant Height: 4 inches. Sun: full sun to partial shade. Hardiness zone: 4a.

Ornamental features

Georgia Blue Speedwell has masses of beautiful panicles of blue round flowers with white eyes and royal blue veins rising above the foliage in mid spring, which are most effective when planted in groupings. Its attractive serrated narrow leaves are emerald green in color. The foliage often turns coppery-bronze in fall.

Landscape

Georgia Blue Speedwell is a dense herbaceous perennial with a ground-hugging habit of growth. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It is a good choice for attracting butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Recommended for: Mass Planting, Rock/Alpine Gardens, Border Edging, General Garden Use, Container Planting.

Planting and growing

Georgia Blue Speedwell will grow to be only 4 inches tall at maturity extending to 6 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 24 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 18 inches apart. Its foliage tends to remain low and dense right to the ground. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder.