Veronica serpyllifolia

RHS Plant Profile

thyme-leaved speedwell

Other common names

Paul's betony, St Paul's betony

Herbaceous Perennial

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A low-growing, creeping perennial no more than 5cm high, with spreading stems and small, oval green leaves that are sometimes slightly toothed. Small pale blue or white flowers with darker blue veins are borne at the upright tips of the stems, from late spring through to early autumn

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: 1–2 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or North–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): H6
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Plantaginaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: Yes
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Matforming, 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

A native annual that can be found growing in a range of environments including pastures, verges and waste ground. Tolerant of light foot traffic and, with pale blue flowers over a long period, makes a modest contribution to a species-rich lawn. See speedwell for more information

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by division, spreads naturally by rooting at the stem nodes

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Wildflower meadow
Wildlife gardens

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

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