Veronica hederifolia

RHS Plant Profile

ivy-leaved speedwell

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Other common names

ivy-leaved chickweed, mother of wheat, small henbit, winterweed, wireweed

Synonyms

Veronica buxbaumii F.W. Schmidt

Annual Biennial

An annual wildflower, with spreading or slightly ascending stems branching at the base. Leaves are broad, 3-5 lobed and hairy. Tiny, stemless, violet-blue flowers are produced from spring to late summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 1 year
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H7

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Plantaginaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: Yes
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Trailing
Genus: Veronica can be annuals, perennials or sub-shrubs with paired leaves and small flowers usually in terminal or axillary racemes or spikes
Name Status: Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Thrives in a range of soils and situations, commonly found in disturbed soil in field margins and waste land. Can be seen as a weed in some situations, but makes a good addition to a species-rich lawn or wildflower area. See speedwell for more information

Propagation

Propagate by seed; plants self-seed prolifically

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Wildflower meadow
Wildlife gardens

Pruning

No pruning required. Roots are shallow, plants are easily removed by hand pulling

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

Generally disease-free