Veronica beccabunga

RHS Plant Profile
brooklime

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brooklime RHS

Other common names

European brooklime, horsewell grass, water pimpernell

Plants for pollinators
Aquatic Bogs
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A marginal, aquatic perennial with creeping, hollow stems, rooting as they spread, and usually evergreen, rounded, fleshy leaves. Short, upright spikes of small, bright blue flowers are produced from late spring to late summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height
Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Poorly–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
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
Evergreen
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

Grow in permanently wet soil, or as an aquatic marginal in water up to 10cm deep, in full sun. See pond plants and bog gardens for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by division or by stem-tip cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Wildlife gardens

Pruning

No pruning required, except to keep within bounds

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to downy mildews, fungal leaf spot, fungal rot, Phytophthora and sometimes honey fungus