Elizabeth is a Permaculture Garden Designer, Sustainability Consultant and Professional Writer, working as an advocate for positive change. She graduated from the University of St. Andrews with an MA in English and Philosophy and obtained a Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design from the Permaculture Association.
Reviewed By COLIN SKELLY
Colin is a Horticulturist and Horticultural Consultant with experience in a range of practical and managerial roles across heritage, commercial and public horticulture. He holds the Royal Horticultural Society’s Master of Horticulture award and has a particular interest in horticultural ecology and naturalistic planting for habitat and climate resilience.
Garden speedwell is a popular perennial, which can be a good choice for many UK gardens.
In this article, we will take a look at this garden plant in a little more depth.
You’ll learn why it might be a good choice for your garden, which varieties you might like to consider, how to sow and plant it, where and what with.
We’ll also explore how you can successfully care for this plant if you do decide that it is the right choice for you.
Overview
| Botanical Name | Veronica longifolia |
| Common Name(s) | Garden Speedwell, Longleaf Speedwell |
| Plant Type | Perennial |
| Native Area | Europe |
| Hardiness Rating | H7 |
| Foliage | Deciduous |
| Flowers | Purple-blue upright spikes |
| When To Sow / Plant | March, April, May, September, October, November |
| Flowering Months | July, August, September |
Sunlight
Preferred
Full Sun or Partial Shade
Exposure
Sheltered
Size
Height
1 – 1.5M
Spread
0.1 – 0.5M
Bloom Time
July – September
Soil
Preferred
Loam
Moisture
Moist but well-drained
pH
Any
Veronicas sit within the Plantaginaceae plant family, and cultivars within this species – commonly referred to as garden speedwell, or long-leaved speedwell – are among the best.1Speedwells (Genus Veronica). (n.d.). iNaturalist United Kingdom. Retrieved March 27, 2023, from https://uk.inaturalist.org/taxa/51611-Veronica
These are upright herbaceous perennials, growing up to around 1m tall, which have long flower spikes, usually with purple or lilac hues, though white and pink cultivars are also available.
Veronica longifolia is found in Northern, Central and Eastern Europe to South West Asia, Mongolia, Korea and Northern China.2Veronica longifolia. (n.d.). Kew Royal Botanic Gardens. Retrieved March 27, 2023, from https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:812239-1
It is one of around 500 different species within this varied genus, which also includes many other plants with the term ‘speedwell’ in their common names.3Veronica. (n.d.). Kew Royal Botanic Gardens. Retrieved March 27, 2023, from https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30005997-2
Veronicas for gardens are generally divided into three main groups: Veronica longifolia belongs to the first of these three groups: herbaceous perennials.
These plants are long-lived and die back each autumn before returning with new growth in the spring.
There are also dwarf Veronicas, commonly referred to as alpines, which are great for rock gardens, and Veronicas best for boggy or waterlogged conditions, or shallow waters.
Why Grow Veronica longifolia?
Garden speedwell is well known as an excellent wildlife-friendly plant for gardens.
It attracts and benefits bees, butterflies, other pollinators, and beneficial insects which help keep pest numbers down.
“Veronica longifolia is often recommended for inclusion in planting schemes designed to attract pollinators,” says Master Horticulturist Colin Skelly.
“It is also very attractive to humans too, but for the eye rather than for the pollen or nectar.”
This can therefore be a great plant for those who wish to garden in an organic and eco-friendly way.
This plant can be useful in companion planting, especially in perennial schemes and in fruit tree guilds – and it can look wonderful over a long period.
It will typically bloom right through the summer months and often well into the autumn.
You can expect beautiful blooms to attract pollinators and other beneficial insects from June right through to October.
V. longifolia is a great low maintenance plant, which is relatively easy to grow and which will quickly spread to fill available space in the right setting, filling in beds or borders.
Common Named Varieties
Some named varieties of V. longifolia to consider include:
- ‘Alba’
- ‘Blauriesin / Blue Giant’
- ‘Blue Shades’
- ‘Charlotte’
- ‘First Glory’
- ‘Marietta’
- ‘Pink Shades’
Other Veronicas, such as V. spicata, V. gentianoides and V. austriaca can also be popular with UK gardeners, and some Veronicas like germander speedwell are common ‘weeds’ in lawns.
Where To Grow
Veronica longifolia can grow well in full sun or partial shade.
It is a hardy (H7) plant throughout the UK – it will thrive in most soil types as long as they are moist or moist yet free-draining, and can cope with most pH levels.4Veronica longifolia | garden speedwell. (n.d.). Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved March 27, 2023, from https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/18847/veronica-longifolia/details
This is a plant that will often look great in the middle or towards the back of a border with other perennial plants which like similar growing conditions.
It can be grown somewhere sheltered or exposed but as a tall plant, it may need staking in more exposed locations.
Sowing
V. longifolia is fairly easy to grow from seed.
Seeds can be sown from March to May, or from September to November in a cold frame or with some protection.
Once seedlings are large enough to handle, they can be potted into individual pots, to be planted out in spring or late summer or early autumn if spring-sown, and in late spring if sown in autumn.
Planting
Whether sowing from seed, planting divisions from existing plants, or plants purchased from a garden centre or plant nursery, V. longifolia is planted out between June and September into its permanent growing positions.
Spring and early autumn are generally the best times to plant for the most successful establishment.
V. longifolia should typically be spaced at around 50-60cm apart, depending on the specific cultivar which is being grown.
Companion Planting
V. longifolia is a plant that, as mentioned above, will benefit many plants growing close by due to its ability to attract a range of beneficial insects to your garden.
Over its long blooming period, it can protect fruit trees or other perennial plantings from aphids by attracting species which prey on them.
It will also bring pollinators to food-producing spaces.
In ornamental schemes, V. longifolia works well alongside many other perennial flowering plants such as:
- Agastache
- Monarda
- Nepeta
- Penstemons
- Salvias
- Verbena
- Other Veronicas
- Yarrow
It also looks good in prairie-type planting schemes with ornamental grasses like Stipa tenuissima, for example.
Caring For Garden Speedwell
V. longifolia, as mentioned above, is a great choice for a relatively low-maintenance perennial planting scheme.
If placed in a suitable spot, these herbaceous perennials will look great for many years to come, bringing benefits to you, and the wildlife which shares your space.
Watering
V. longifolia should definitely be watered during establishment, but once established, rainfall should generally be sufficient.
Watering will generally only be required during prolonged periods of drought.
Feeding
As long as a mulch of organic matter is added around perennial plantings, there should be little need for additional feeding in most circumstances.
Replenish mulch in perennial beds and borders each spring to suppress weed growth, retain moisture, and provide slow-release fertility.
Pests & Problems
V. longifolia is not a plant which is typically prone to pest problems.
In fact, as mentioned above, it can aid in pest control in an organic garden by drawing in predatory species.
However, Veronicas can sometimes be prone to fungal issues like downy mildew, powdery mildew and leaf spot.
Making sure that there is good airflow around plants, ensuring adequate moisture but not letting waterlogging occur, not letting the area dry out entirely and keeping good biodiversity in growing areas can help reduce their incidence and spread.
Remove any affected materials as soon as you see signs of such problems to prevent their spread.
Pruning
Deadhead regularly throughout the blooming period for repeat blooms.
Faded flowers on V. longifolia can be cut back after they have flowered in the autumn if neatness is desired.
However, leaving dying stems in place over winter can provide habitat for wildlife like ladybirds to overwinter.
Division
Mature clumps of V. longifolia should be divided every few years in March/April, or in September/October.
This can rejuvenate the existing plant and allow you to propagate new plants for your garden.
As you can see from the above, V. longifolia can be a high-value and low-effort plant to introduce if you have suitable conditions in your garden.
