Veronica longifolia 'Alba'

RHS Plant Profile
garden speedwell 'Alba'

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A clump-forming perennial to around 90cm high, with upright stems and long, lance-shaped, toothed green leaves. Narrow, tapering spikes of small white flowers are produced from mid summer through to early autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam
Moisture
Moist but 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
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
Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Thrives in sun or light shade, in well-drained soil that does not dry out. Mulching is beneficial on drier soils. Will not tolerate waterlogging. May need support, see staking perennials

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring or autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Gravel garden
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Remove faded flower stems in autumn

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to downy mildews, powdery mildews and leaf spot