Veronica spicata L.

Fully hardy, mat-forming perennial with erect flower spikes with dense, pyramidal, terminal racemes of star-shaped bright blue flowers from early to late summer.  Cultivars with white, pink and pale-blue flowers are also available.  To 60cm.  [RHSE, Hortus].  Veronica hybrida is now considered a form of Veronica spicata and is treated as such, Veronica spicata L. var. hybrida, in the Hortus.

Horticultural & Botanical History

An ancient garden plant.  Grown by Gerrard before 1596 as Lysimachia flore caeruleo, the Blew Willow herbe.  Figured in English Botany.  [English Botany pl.DCCCCLXXXII/1863-1886].

History at Camden Park

Listed only in the 1857 catalogue [H.232/1857].

Notes

Published Sep 24, 2009 - 05:16 PM | Last updated Mar 30, 2010 - 02:43 PM

Figured are lance-shaped, toothed leaves and pyramidal raceme of purple-blue flowers. English Botany pl.DCCCCLXXXII/1863-1886.

Veronica spicata L. | English Botany pl.DCCCCLXXXII/1863-1886 | BHL

More details about Veronica spicata L.
Family Scrophulariaceae
Category
Region of origin

Europe and Asia
Synonyms
  • Veronica australis Schrad.
  • Veronica crassifolia Wierzb. ex Heuff.
  • Veronica hybrida L. 
Common Name

Diggers speedwell, Welsh speedwell
Name in the Camden Park Record

Veronica spicata 
Confidence level high