T
The Daily Insight

Is Speedwell an evergreen

Author

Nathan Sanders

Published Apr 10, 2026

Featuring white and blue flowers, creeping speedwell or Veronica filiformis is a low-growing perennial if you’re looking for an easy-to-maintain ground cover option. Forming a dense mat on lawns, this low-growing plant remains evergreen and blooms from April to July.

Is Veronica Speedwell Evergreen?

Low growing and durable, Veronica ‘Whitewater’ (Prostrate Speedwell) is a vigorous semi-evergreen perennial forming a dense carpet of small, glistening white flowers borne on creeping, wiry stems, over a long period from mid spring to early summer.

Does speedwell come back every year?

Veronica, also called Speedwell, is a carefree and easy-to-grow perennial with long spikes of small petals in purple, blue, pink, or white. … (Veronica can be sowed by seed in containers in a cold frame in autumn, but most people start this perennial as a transplant from the nursery.)

Is Veronica an evergreen?

Veronica gentianoides is a floriferous, semi-evergreen, clump-forming perennial, bearing pretty, blue fragrant flowers. It’s a plant of the woodland edge, so is at home in humus-rich soil in dappled shade. … Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering, and split clumps annually to avoid the centre of the plant dying out.

Is Spike Speedwell Evergreen?

Snow Candles Spike Speedwell has masses of beautiful spikes of white flowers rising above the foliage from early to late summer, which are most effective when planted in groupings. … Snow Candles Spike Speedwell is a dense herbaceous evergreen perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth.

Does speedwell bloom all summer?

Planting speedwell (Veronica officinalis) in the garden is a great way to enjoy long-lasting blooms throughout the summer season. These easy-care plants don’t require much upkeep once established, making them ideal for the busy gardener. Keep reading to learn more about growing speedwell flowers.

Is speedwell plant invasive?

Often found in neglected lawns, disturbed soil, and shaded areas, corn or common speedwell (Veronica arvensis) is one to watch. It’s also known as gypsyweed or veronica. Generally, this invasive plant features four-petaled white, blue, or purplish small flowers; heart-shaped seed pods; and numerous small lobed leaves.

Are speedwell plants deer resistant?

Veronica | Speedwell. … Veronica plants are deer resistant, drought tolerant and attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

How does speedwell spread?

Spiked speedwell is rarely grown from seeds. But it can be sown directly in the garden in spring through mid-summer. Germination can take two or three weeks. These plants sometimes spread by self-seeding in the garden.

Is Veronica speedwell invasive?

Deadhead the flowers and cut back faded flower stems after the first bloom to prolong its bloom time. Shear the foliage if it becomes worn-looking after flowering. This perennial spreads by a creeping rootstock, but is not invasive. Veronica Royal Candles is the most disease-resistant perennial in its family.

Article first time published on

Is speedwell good for bees?

Germander speedwell is an excellent nectar source for solitary bees and can be grown in the garden. Its blue flowers look very pretty when carpeting a flowery meadow; keep the grass short in early spring to allow it to grow through, then raise the cutting level of your mower later on.

What is speedwell good for?

Speedwell is commonly used to treat coughs and other respiratory diseases. It is also appropriate for inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and rheumatism, digestive problems like diarrhea, and a gargle to treat sore throat.

Does speedwell need deadheading?

You must deadhead individual speedwell flowers carefully to prevent injury to the other flower buds. … If deadheading the individual flower spikes is too time-consuming, shear back the entire plant by half in midsummer after most of the flowers have faded.

Can speedwell be split?

Propagating Veronica Plants and Growing them from Seed To keep them looking their best, Speedwell plants should be divided every three or four years in the early spring or early fall. The more vigorous, outer portions can be re-planted.

How do you care for a creeping speedwell?

  1. Plant Feed. Slow release feed in spring.
  2. Watering. Allow soil to dry between thorough waterings.
  3. Soil. Fertile, well-drained soil.
  4. Basic Care Summary. Best in fertile, well-drained soil. Tolerates drought, but looks best with regular watering. Trim back as needed.

Why is my speedwell dying?

In soggy, overwatered soils, speedwell develops edema. Roots can’t receive oxygen and the plant dies. This problem is easily solved by planting speedwell in loose, well-draining soils and avoiding overwatering. Powdery mildew might infect speedwell in late summer in hot, dry weather.

What does speedwell smell like?

The slightly bitter and astringent taste and tea-like smell of speedwell led to its use as a tea substitute in 19th-century France, where it was called thé d’Europe, or “Europe tea.” The French still use this term as a name for speedwell.

How do I get rid of speedwell in my lawn?

In lawns, spot-treat the weed using a weedkiller such as a 2,4-D-based herbicide in spring or early-summer, when growth is at its most vigorous. Repeat through summer where necessary. Apply in cool, moist, still conditions when there is least risk of the chemical drifting onto and damaging nearby garden plants.

Why is Veronica called speedwell?

Etymology. Speedwells were considered lucky charms, their sight speeding travellers on their way. Veronica, the genus name, probably comes from the Latin adjective vera- meaning true, and -nica meaning image. … One of the other common names for this plant is Bird’s Eye Speedwell.

Will Veronica grow in shade?

Veronica blooms best with at least 6 hours of full sun, but can tolerate partial shade.

Do butterflies like Speedwell?

only about 2 or 3 feet tall with stiff, strong stems. Deer and drought resistant. Purpleicious’ Vernonica (also called Speedwell) brings intense violet color to the summer garden on fragrant, tapered spikes. Attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds, ‘Purpleiciou…

Do rabbits eat Speedwell?

Annuals usually not eaten by rabbitsAgeratumAgeratum houstonianumSiberian IrisIris sibericaSmall Globe ThistleEchinops ritroSpeedwellVeronica species

Is Black Eyed Susan deer resistant?

Named for their dark brown centers peeking out of the gold or bronze petals, black-eyed susans thrive in the sun. Because its covered in course hair, deer and rabbits stay far away from it. These daisy-like blooms are perfect for a late summer or fall bouquet.

Is ivy leaved speedwell edible?

Of these four all but the Persian Speedwell are edible. Ground Ivy, once known as Nepeta glechoma and Nepeta hederacea in the Catnip genus, is a native of Europe and southern Asia. It was introduced into North America by 1672, probably earlier, for medicinal uses.

Do hummingbirds like Speedwell?

Speedwell Veronica – Perennial veronica is a plant which begins blooming in early summer and will repeat bloom as the season progresses. Spiked blooms can come in pink, white or purple. … Salvia is always a favorite of hummingbirds and will offer them a food source during their nesting season.

Is Speedwell a wildflower?

Veronica officinalis (Common Speedwell): Minnesota Wildflowers.

What kind of plants do bumble bees like?

Bumblebees are generalists when it comes to choosing the flowers they pollinate while foraging for nectar and pollen. They typically prefer blue, purple, pink, and yellow flowers. They’re actually color-blind to red flowers (unless the red flowers have ultraviolet markers they can see).

What does speedwell taste like?

The somewhat bitter and astringent taste and smell of speedwell led to its use as a tea substitute in 19th-century France, where it was called the d’Europe, or “Europe tea.” The French still use this term as a name for speedwell.

Is speedwell an herb?

Veronica chamaedrys is an herbaceous, flowering perennial native to Europe and Asia. For centuries, speedwell herb has been used in traditional European herbalism for its beneficial properties and was once extremely popular steeped as tea. …

How do I prepare Veronica for winter?

Keep the soil around Veronica consistently moist. It does not have to be rich, but the plant will suffer during winter . These plants need about one inch a week, either through rainfall or through regular watering. Cover the ground with a 2-inch layer of mulch.

What do Veronica flowers symbolize?

The meaning and symbolism of Veronica flower is loyalty. In a single-flower bouquet, it represents your devotion to the person or even fidelity in marriage. … As you can see, Veronica flower is often used as a complementary piece to create a delicate yet vibrant composition.