Also known as heath speedwell, common gypsyweed, and Paul’s betony, this mat-forming herbaceous perennial is native to open areas in Europe and western Asia. It is a member of the plantain family, Plantaginaceae, that also includes foxglove, snapdragon, and angelonia. Plants grow 4-12″ tall and have hairy, branched, mostly prostate stems. The opposite, softly hairy leaves are 1/2-2″ long, oval-elliptic to egg-shaped, and have toothed margins. In summer, short racemes of flowers appear over a long bloom period. The flowers are 1/4 to 1/3″ across and have four rounded lobes that are pale blue, violet or pinkish-purple streaked with darker purplish lines. Stems root at the nodes and plants can become weedy. The genus name, Veronica, honors St. Veronica who gave her veil to Christ as he walked to Calvary. The specific epithet, officinalis, is the Latin word meaning belonging to an officina , the storeroom of a monastery where medicines and other necessaries were kept, and refers to the medicinal use of the plant.
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Bloom: Racemes of small blue, violet or pinkish-purple streaked with darker purplish lines in summer
Size: 4-12″H
Light: Light shade to sun
Soil: Average, moderately moist to dry, well-drained
USDA Hardiness: Zones 3-7
Care: Control spread as plants can become weedy
Pests and Diseases: Generally healthy but can suffer damage from powdery mildew, spider mites and thrips.
Propagation: Division, seed
Companion Plants: Coreopsis, artemisia, sweet potato vine
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Karen