Veronica Georgia Blue

Description

Veronica ‘Georgia Blue’ – speedwell

Botanical name: Veronica peduncularis ‘Georgia Blue’
Common names: Speedwell
Family: Plantaginaceae
Plant type: Semi-evergreen perennial
Habit: Low, spreading, mat-forming
Pot size: 1 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 10–15cm tall × 45–60cm spread
Foliage: Small green leaves, bronze-tinged in cold weather; semi-evergreen
Flowers: Masses of intense sky-blue, white-eyed flowers, early spring into summer (March–June)
Scent: Not scented
Aspect / light: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Well-drained; poor to average; any pH
Hardiness: RHS H6 (hardy, to about −20°C); USDA zones 4–8
Exposure: Open, sunny; tolerant
Native range: Caucasus
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Generally considered non-toxic to people and pets

Veronica ‘Georgia Blue’ is a spreading speedwell forming a low mat smothered in early spring with intense sky-blue flowers, the foliage bronzing in cold weather. It makes excellent weed-suppressing groundcover for sunny spots.

GardenAdvice notes

A low, vigorous spreading perennial, ‘Georgia Blue’ forms a dense mat of small leaves that flush bronze in winter, then disappears beneath a haze of intense blue, white-eyed flowers from very early spring. Tough, easy and long-flowering, it makes superb groundcover and edging for sun or light shade.

Growing & planting

Plant in autumn or spring in well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. It tolerates poor soils and is very easy-going. Ideal as groundcover, edging, and tumbling over walls and the fronts of raised beds. Space about 40cm apart; it spreads steadily.

Care & maintenance

Low-maintenance. Shear it over after the main flush of flowers to keep it neat and encourage more. Water while establishing, then it is drought-tolerant. It roots as it spreads, so lift and replant pieces to increase it or keep it in bounds.

Propagation

• Division: Lift and divide, or detach rooted pieces, in spring or autumn and replant.
• Cuttings: Take softwood cuttings in early summer.
• Rooted stems: Sections root as they spread and can be lifted and moved.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free. Powdery mildew can appear in hot, dry spells; otherwise little troubled by pests or disease. It can spread enthusiastically, which is usually welcome as groundcover.

Uses in the garden

Ideal as weed-suppressing groundcover, edging, and cascading over walls, banks and the fronts of raised beds, giving one of the earliest and most intense blues of spring.

Wildlife value

The early flowers are an important source of nectar for bees and other pollinators emerging in spring.

Toxicity & safety

Speedwell is generally regarded as non-toxic to people and pets.

GardenAdvice tip

‘Georgia Blue’ is one of the earliest and truest blues in the garden, often opening in the first mild spells of spring, so plant it where that early colour will be welcome — spilling over a wall or carpeting the front of a border. A quick shear after the main flush keeps it tidy and often brings a second, lighter show.

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