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Herbaceous Perennial

Veronica spicata subsp. incana
  • RHS AGM
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

silver speedwell

A compact, clump-forming herbaceous perennial with lance-shaped, toothed grey-green leaves and upright, slender stems of small, star-shaped purple-blue flowers which appear in spring and summer

Synonyms
Veronica incana
Veronica candida
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Blue Purple Green Grey Silver
Summer Blue Purple Green Grey Silver
Autumn Green Grey Silver
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

East–facing or West–facing or South–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Drought resistance
Yes
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Plantaginaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming, Columnar upright
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

Tolerant of a wide range of soils, as long as not extremely dry or prone to waterlogging, but prefers loamy, moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soils in full sun or light shade

Propagation

Propagate by division

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Deadhead after flowering, remove faded flower stems in the autumn

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

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

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