Scientific Name
Veronica americana Schwein. ex Benth.
Common Names
American Speedwell, American Brooklime
Synonyms
Veronica americana f. americana
Scientific Classification
Family: Plantaginaceae
Tribe: Veroniceae
Genus: Veronica
Flower
Color: Violet
Bloom Time: All summer
Description
Veronica americana is a herbaceous perennial with glabrous stems up to 3.3 feet (1 m) long that bear terminal or axillary racemes or spikes of soft violet flowers. The leaves are up to 3.2 inches (8 cm) long and 3 to 20 times as long as wide, short-petiolate, glabrous, serrate to almost entire.
Photo via halleyhosting.com
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 3a to 8b: from −40 °F (−40 °C) to 20 °F (−6.7 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Speedwell thrives in conditions as wide ranging as full sun to partial shade and in loamy, sandy or clay dense soils. However, it does prefer a sunny location with well draining soil. The soil pH can be as liberal as neutral, alkaline or acidic, with moisture content from average to quite moist.
The hardy medium sized plant, with striking 1 to 3 foot (30 to 90 cm) flower spikes, flourishes in USDA hardiness zones 3-8. The Speedwell is tolerant of a variety of conditions but prefers full sun and well drained soil.
Speedwell can be sown from seed; however, it is more commonly purchased from a nursery so planting it in the garden can take place right away in spring.
Speedwell plant care is relatively low maintenance. In order to facilitate maximum blooming, it is advisable to remove the faded spikes from Speedwell and periodically divide the plant every few years in the early spring or fall... – See more at: How to Grow and Care for Speedwell.
Origin
Native to temperate and arctic Asia and North America.
Links
- Back to genus Veronica
- Plantopedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone or Origin
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