Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

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

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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

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