Veronica meadow plant. Veronicastrum: planting and care at home. Vegetative methods of propagation of veronicma spica

Veronica is an unpretentious plant that does not require much physical effort to cultivate. Flower growers grow it both to decorate flower beds and for medicinal purposes. There are more than 500 species for decorative floriculture. This plant can be an annual, perennial, and there are even shrubby species. Under favorable weather conditions and proper care, it blooms from early to late summer. At the same time, the plant is not at all afraid of trampling, and if this happens, the stems and leaves quickly straighten.

Veronica belongs to the Podorozhnikov class, but is completely different from her representative. But it has signs of nettle and bluebell.

There are three main ways to grow a flower. This is by seeds, dividing the bush or preparing cuttings.

The seeds are prepared and sown if it is necessary to grow a healthy varietal bush. Sowing is done in the fall directly into the ground or in the spring we prepare seedlings for planting in the ground. If the seedlings have sprouted too densely, it is necessary to thin out, leaving a distance between the bushes of 20-50 cm. For tall species, we create even larger gaps of 50-80 cm.

Before planting the plants, harden the seedlings by keeping them outside or on the balcony for a long time.

The fastest and in a convenient way Reproduction can be considered division of the bush. To do this, use a knife or shovel to cut off a few sprouts and plant them in a new place. The distance between plants for tall varieties is 50 cm, for lower varieties 40 cm and 30 cm for small ones. It's better to do it early spring and then the flower will delight you with its bloom in the same year. You can do everything in the fall, but after the veronica blooms.

When propagating by cuttings, shoots up to 10 cm are cut and placed in water for germination. Greenhouse conditions are also created by covering the cuttings with jars or cut plastic bottles hole up. After the roots appear, they are planted in the ground. It is better to do this in August so that the cuttings become stronger in the ground and can bloom next season.

Of course, both cuttings and ready-made sprouts separated from the bush, as well as seedlings, all require watering after planting.

Varieties of planting material and popular varieties

The huge variety of types of veronica has made it popular in landscape design. These are Allioni, Alpine, Armenian, Austrian. It can be ground cover, tall, evergreen. Flowers can be white, blue, purple. To choose the right plant for your flower garden, you need to determine the conditions of the site.

If Veronica is purchased for a rock garden or rock garden, it will work well low-growing variety, and tall species are excellent for mixborderers. One of popular varieties is Veronica Big. It grows 50-70 cm in height. Blooms in mid-summer with fluffy inflorescences. Speedwell's flowers are shaped like candles. Their height does not exceed 30 cm. It is also worth noting such varieties as:

Medicinal,
Branched,
Dubravnaya,
Small.

In terms of color, almost all of them are blue. New hybrid varieties available with white and bright purple inflorescences.

Planting and care

This flower is an unpretentious flower, but moderate watering will not harm it. Especially in dry spring before flowering begins. It is recommended to water with warm, settled water. Excess moisture can lead to the death of the plant.

Herbaceous spreading species do not tolerate drought, stop blooming and may die. High varieties easily tolerate heat. Gray Veronica survives if it loses most of its moisture. The small-fruited variety is most resistant to drought. Filamentous, gentian, and prostrate speedwells love moist soil, but also tolerate dry periods. Any novice gardener can easily cope with caring for this plant.

Absolutely any soil is suitable, but loamy soils are better. The flower feels great in open sunny areas, but also copes well with shading. It should be said that shadow and partial shade will not allow all the decorative properties of the plant to reveal themselves.

When the flower fades, it is pruned to make the flower beds attractive. Pruning also encourages the growth of fresh foliage.

Veronica requires almost no fertilizer or fertilizing. If the soil is very poor, this can be done once every two to three years.

You need to feed with organic fertilizers in the form of peat and manure.

Wintering

Veronica tolerates frost well and does not need shelter. Peat or humus can be added to the roots, which will only improve the quality of the soil, and the above-ground part is cut off completely.

Branched and woody species require protection from extreme cold.

Neighborhood with other flowers

The flower looks beautiful with different plants in the flowerbed: roses, lilies, daisies. It looks good and elegant in a completely finished flower garden and fits into it. It is also good at decorating the banks of reservoirs and small ponds. Speedwell veronica grows on water and floats on the surface. A small disadvantage of tall flowers is that they need to be tied up so that the bush looks aesthetically pleasing and beautiful. Low-growing ones are renewed due to the removal of faded inflorescences and the appearance of fresh ones, which give the flower an attractive appearance throughout the season.

Diseases and pests

Veronica is a plant resistant to diseases and pests. A threat to the flower will be downy mildew, which appears during prolonged rains and high air temperatures. If this happens, the shoots are completely removed.

Speedwell is susceptible to the raspberry viral disease, ringspot. Occasionally, cutworm and moth caterpillars may attack. The caterpillars especially love young shoots and foliage.

Raising the soil temperature, stopping watering and regular maintenance (weeding) help control pests. This flower is loved by aphids and nematodes. The plant is treated with insecticides according to the instructions. Dried inflorescences are removed from rotting, thereby preventing the disease.

Perhaps many people have come across this flower in a meadow or forest clearing. Veronica plant is quite cute, has inflorescences of bluish or blue shades. Due to the fact that certain types often found in nature, they cannot be found in garden plots.

It is considered a fairly famous plant, varieties of which can be seen in different parts of the world. This is explained by its unpretentiousness and its resistance to dry periods, which makes it possible to survive in many climatic zones.

The flower does not make any special demands on the soil composition; it feels equally comfortable on sand, clay and even swamp soil. At first, the plant was considered an adornment of mountains and forests; a little later it began to be used as decorative flowers.

As soon as Veronica became cultivated plant, it was taken as the basis for breeding new varieties used in gardening. Mankind has known the flower for a long time, as it is considered a plant with medicinal properties.

Most beautiful view flower – Veronica Bolshaya. This is a perennial that forms thick shoots, the height of which reaches fifty and sometimes seventy centimeters. On them are placed opposite leaves, their jagged shapes reminiscent of testicles.

The sparsely planted plant forms darkish bushes with its shoots that resemble domes. With the end of spring and until the very middle of the summer season, the top of such a bush turns bright blue.. This blooms a large number of flowers, the diameter of which does not exceed one and a half centimeters. Because of the beautiful appearance of the inflorescences, it is often called Royal Veronica.

The most famous varieties

From the huge number of popular flower species, the following plants can be distinguished:

Medicinal

It grows in wooded areas. Distinctive features are low-growing stems that spread like a carpet.. They have pale green leaves and purple inflorescences.

Branched

The main habitat is mountainous areas. It looks like low thickets covered with inflorescences of blue and pink shades . This variety is demanding in terms of care. It is difficult to tolerate drought and can freeze in winter.

Dubravnaya

It is found in Siberia, the Caucasus Mountains, and European countries. A low-growing perennial plant that produces serrated leaves that remain green during the winter season.. Veronica oakberry blooms in blue, blue and even pink shades.

Small

The look is quite unique. Its distinctive features are short stature, small leaves, inflorescences of lilac and blue shades. This variety is quite whimsical; only experienced gardeners are engaged in its cultivation;

Woody

Low growing perennial. Forms creeping stems covered with numerous foliage. In winter, without snow cover, it can freeze.

Planting and care

Although the flower is unpretentious, it requires moderate watering. Excessive moisture can cause its death.. Caring for the flower is not difficult; any soil is suitable for planting.

It feels most comfortable at a temperature range of 14 to 20 degrees Celsius.

There are a considerable number of varieties known that can grow well in the dry season. Plants need water most in the spring, before flowering begins.. By the time the first inflorescences open, watering must be stopped.

Pruning is done after the flower has faded. This measure will be an excellent stimulant for the formation of young foliage.

Veronica reproduces in several ways:

division of rhizomes;
cuttings;
seeds.

When growing such a flower, gardeners give preference to a suitable option.

Sowing is carried out in the fall. But it is also possible to sow in the spring, if the seed fund is first stratified.

Cuttings are recommended to be done in summer. By this time, young stems are being prepared. They are then placed in soil or water to allow roots to form. After this, the seedlings are allowed to be transferred to open ground.

Dividing the rhizome is the most popular method of propagating Veronica.. The fact is that it does not involve costs, and the survival rate is high. This type of breeding is recommended in spring or autumn.

To begin with, the stems are removed and the bush is dug up. The roots are cut with a knife or spatula.

Divide the bush into equal parts so that there are at least three shoots on the first root. Having completed the procedure, it is necessary to immediately plant it in the ground.

Useful qualities

The medicinal properties of the plant have been known since ancient times. Veronica has long been used as a remedy to cure various diseases.

Of particular value are the tops of the stems with leaves and inflorescences.. Harvesting is carried out with the onset of summer, when flowering is at its peak. Drying time must be reduced to a minimum, for which a temperature regime of forty degrees is created. This allows you to reduce losses and preserve the color shade. If everything is done correctly, then Veronica will save healing properties within two years.

Besides this, used as an ornamental plant to decorate the garden area.

Veronica is grown today in any type of soil composition. But the plant feels best on loamy soil. It requires a sufficient amount of light, although shaded areas are suitable for breeding.

Veronica is an excellent ornamental plant that can be grown in open ground, both for the purpose of decorating a garden plot and for medicinal purposes. Although speedwell belongs to the plantain family, it bears little resemblance to plantain: a delicate, neat plant can become a worthy decorative element in any flowerbed. Further about the features of growing speedwell in open ground: planting, care, the best varieties(photos and instructions included).

Veronica is a herbaceous rhizomatous perennial. The plant is represented by a wide variety of varieties and varieties, each of which differs in height, external characteristics, including the color and shape of leaves, flowers and even rhizomes (roots can be both thin and long, and quite powerful and short, there are even thread-like ones).

The plant is popularly known by other names, including “forget-me-not”, “snake grass”, etc. The stems of the plant are straight, or in some cases creeping in height from several centimeters to 1.5 m. The shape of the leaves is varied, the color is in most cases green, sometimes an unusual light gray.

The openwork flowers of the plant are presented in a rich range of shades: blue ( natural color), white, pink, etc. They are collected in small spike-shaped or paniculate inflorescences. The duration of the flowering period of Veronica depends on the characteristics of a particular variety.

Advice. If you want to achieve the longest flowering period for Veronica in your garden, you need to optimally combine the cultivation of several varieties that differ in flowering periods.

The species diversity of the plant makes it possible to choose the best option both for home conditions and for growing in open ground. The following varieties can be particularly distinguished:

Medicinal. A perennial ground plant with small soft green leaves and neat decorative flowers in lilac, pink and blue shades.

Medicinal veronica

Longifolia. Powerful tall plant(one of the tallest in the Veronica genus). The inflorescences of the plant are quite long, with a spectacular light purple color. It has a long flowering period: throughout the summer until the beginning of autumn. It is incredibly popular among gardeners not only due to its decorative but also medicinal properties; in particular, the variety is an excellent antiseptic.

Longleaf speedwell

Caucasian. The leaves of the plant are dissected and colored bright green. The flowers have an unusual purple color and thin purple stripes.

Caucasian speedwell

Gentian. A low-growing plant with thin stems bearing delicate white flowers, the petals of which are covered with small blue stripes.

Gentian speedwell

Woody. It is a small creeping plant with greenish-gray leaves and pink flowers.

Woody speedwell

Crimean. A dwarf variety (reaches only 20 cm in height) with small light green leaves and blue flowers.

Crimean speedwell

Gray-haired. An unusual low-growing variety with bluish leaves and bright blue inflorescences.

Gray Veronica

Plant propagation

The process of propagation of speedwell is carried out in 3 ways: seeds, cuttings or dividing the bush. The seed method is considered quite troublesome, but this is the best option for those who want to get healthy bush with full characteristics of the variety. Seeds can either be sown directly into the ground in the fall, or pre-prepared seedlings can be planted in the spring.

If you plan to sow seedlings, you should start preparing planting material ahead of time. At the end of winter, the seeds must be wrapped in damp gauze and placed in the refrigerator for 25-30 days.

Add nutrient soil to the container, then place the seeds not very deep in the ground. It is advisable to place them one at a time in a separate pot or at a distance of about 5-7 cm from each other in a large container. The seeds should be sprinkled with a thin layer of soil and moistened.

Be sure to cover all containers with transparent film and place them in a warm place. When the sprouts have sprung sufficiently (about 8 cm in height), they can be planted in open ground. Do not forget to harden the seedlings some time before, periodically exposing them to fresh air.

Adult plants are easily propagated by dividing the bush

Dividing a bush is a simple way to help achieve flower stalks in the first year after planting. It is important to choose the right sprouts. The bush should be the tallest and absolutely healthy. Separate several sprouts and plant them in the ground. Be sure to cover them with special material. After 10-12 days, remove it and continue growing the plant as usual.

Propagation by cuttings will allow you to successfully grow speedwell from a small shoot about 10 cm long. You should place it in water for a while so that the cuttings can germinate, after which you can plant them in open ground.

Planting a plant in open ground

The plant is considered to be quite unpretentious to growing conditions, therefore, when choosing a suitable site for growing speedwell in open ground, it is not necessary to make a strict selection: the plant is suitable for heavy clay soil, loose sandstone, and swampy soil.

Advice. Although Veronica is not a picky plant, it is very sensitive to the amount of sunlight, so the place for planting the crop must be chosen exclusively sunny (in extreme cases, partial shade, but dense beautiful flowering it will be much more difficult to achieve).

Planting a young plant or seeds must be done in moist and well-loosened soil, previously enriched with nutritious organic matter.

Subtleties of plant care

The Veronica plant is quite easy to grow: even a beginner can grow a healthy, strong flower in open ground. Read more about what measures Veronica needs to care for garden plants.

Veronica is rarely affected by pests

Watering and fertilizing regime

First of all, it is necessary to carefully monitor the condition of the soil in the area where the plant is grown: under no circumstances should it dry out (dry soil is practically death for Veronica). During periods of drought, the plant should be watered very generously: do not allow the soil to dry out. When the first branches appear on the plant, watering should be stopped, and after the last ones bloom, the tops of the veronica should be trimmed.

Advice. To slow down the process of soil loss of moisture and control the growth of weeds, you can periodically acidify the soil: the plant will only be happy about this (Veronica really loves acidic or slightly acidic soil).

As for fertilizers, Veronica certainly needs them, but fertilizing should not be too frequent: it is enough to apply fertilizer to each bush of the plant with the onset of the growing season, and continue fertilizing only at the end of spring. If you live in a region where winters are quite severe, it is advisable to also apply potassium fertilizers in the middle of summer: this will help the plants withstand the cold.

Diseases and pests

Despite the fact that various insects always hover near the plant, attracted by its fragrant pollen (bees, butterflies, etc.), Veronica is resistant to this kind of “encroachment.”

The plant is slightly susceptible to various diseases and pests. The only exceptions are some fungal diseases such as powdery mildew and gray rot. You can get rid of these diseases using either chemicals, such as Oxychom or copper sulfate, or biological analogues, which will be completely safe for animals and humans.

Sometimes aphids can “visit” Veronica growing in the garden. If there is not too much of it, there is no need to worry: the plant is able to cope with the pest on its own.

Veronica in landscape design

Combination of Veronica with other plants

Veronica is often used as a wonderful group plant that can be used as one of the main decorative elements in alpine slides, flower beds and mixborders. The main purpose of using veronica in landscape design is to give the garden area ease and lightness. Veronica is suitable for growing near borders, where not every plant can survive.

An excellent combination of plants in the garden would be with buzulnik, bergenia, etc. By the way, even such a simple combination as speedwell and chamomile can create harmony in any area of the garden.

Advice. If you're willing to take a risk for a spectacular garden look, try using contrasting combinations: for example, Veronica and rose. As a result, you will get a winning composition in which each element will be beautifully emphasized by the other.

These are all the subtleties that need to be taken into account when growing veronica in open ground. Good luck!

Veronica's landing: video

Charming and delicate flowers Speedwells are able to decorate any flowerbed or garden and enhance an orchard. The many shades of its petals range from sky blue to deep blue. Veronica is a plant that does not require much effort and time to grow. Almost all garden forms are natural species, very resistant to cold and with good survival rates. So why not try them on your site?

Rod Veronica: description

This genus is the most numerous (about 500 species) among the Plantain family. It includes annual and perennial herbaceous plants, less often subshrubs, which are common in all parts of the world, but mainly in temperate and cold regions of Eurasia. Representatives of the genus are widespread throughout our country.

Any speedwell is a plant (photo attached) with characteristic generic characteristics. The first of them are small flowers with two stamens, which are collected in paniculate, spike-shaped or umbellate inflorescences (sessile or on a long peduncle). The second is thick rhizomes, shortened or branched, or many thin roots. Among the numerous representatives there are excellent honey plants, medicinal plants, as well as ornamental ones. It is the latter that we will pay more attention to.

It should be noted that Veronica is a plant, although it does not have outstanding external characteristics, but is beautiful in its simplicity. Small flowers can rise above the flower bed, gathered into a slender spike, or almost spread like a soft “cushion”, braiding everything around. We invite you to learn about the main types of speedwell introduced into culture.

Veronica Armenian

A low plant (7-10 cm) of bright green color, forming a dense and dense turf. Stems ascending or recumbent, woody at the base. Leaves 08-1.2 cm long, pinnately dissected at the base into thin and curling lobes, are also decorative. The corolla of the flower is pale blue or with lilac shade with a rich aroma. A pink variety has been developed. Armenian speedwell is a very drought-resistant, unpretentious plant, which is why it is popular among flower growers when decorating lawns, alpine hills, and terraces. Flowering begins in mid-summer. The species is very sensitive to soil. Only rocky substrates with an alkaline environment and a small amount of river sand or fertilized clay are acceptable.

Speedwell of Austria

A perennial plant with tall, erect stems from 30 to 70 cm, small leaves and star-shaped bright blue flowers collected in racemes. Flowering is long-lasting, starting in May-June. Drought-resistant, decorative, widely used for decorating rock gardens, rockeries, in group and single plantings. Natural range growing areas - steppes and forest-steppes, mountain meadows and rocky hills. Prefers well-drained, sandy soil.

Veronica is big

Species widely distributed in the natural environment: all European part Russia, Caucasus, Western Siberia, Mediterranean, Central Asia. Grows in sparse forest stands, meadows and fields. This speedwell is a plant (photo above) with an impressive garden history. It has been introduced into culture since 1596. The species is characterized by the formation of dense bushes, from which peduncles emerge on a long stem (up to 30 cm) with stars of blue flowers of varying degrees of saturation. A very unpretentious plant, characterized by high winter hardiness (does not require shelter) and drought resistance. Grows well in any garden soil, prefers sunny places and is moisture-loving. It is used in group and single plantings; it is suitable for cutting into bouquets. Withdrawn various varieties, differing in bush size, color, leaf color. In particular, True Blue is a tall speedwell (blue). The plant (photo attached) has inflorescences up to 10 cm long, the flowering period is a month, from the end of May. The unusual variety Miffy Blue grows into a spectacular bush with variegated decorative leaves and large pale blue inflorescences.

Veronica gentian

In its natural environment it grows in the southern and middle regions of the European part of Russia, the Caucasus and Crimea, and Asia Minor. This is a herbaceous plant that forms beautiful cushion-shaped bushes up to 45 cm high. The leaves are collected in a rosette, dark green, leathery. Inflorescence on a high shoot (30-70 cm), loose, multi-flowered. The color of the corolla is pale blue, often towards a white tone with clear blue veins. The flowers are large, reaching 1 cm in diameter. Flowering begins in June and continues for a month, but the bush retains its decorative effect until frost. Gentian speedwell is a plant introduced into horticultural culture since 1784, during which time many varieties have been developed. Among them are Variegata with leaves edged with a white stripe, Tissington White with almost white flowers, etc. Veronica is absolutely unpretentious, moisture-loving, but drought-resistant, shade-tolerant, but prefers well-lit places; shelter for the winter is not required.

Veronica Koloskovaya

One of the most decorative species with a large number of bred varieties. Plant up to 40 cm in height with few single stems. Particularly beautiful are the apical racemose dense inflorescences of rich blue, cyan, violet, and less often white. The species has been introduced into culture since 1570. Flowering lasts from mid-summer, produces many seeds, and reproduces well by self-sowing. Any garden soil is suitable for growing it. Spike speedwell is a winter-hardy, drought-resistant, light- and moisture-loving plant. Looks especially good in single plantings. Examples of varieties: Romiley Purple (rich purple), Barcarolle (pink), Heidekind (raspberry pink), Rotfishs (cream), White Icicle (white, pictured).

Veronica petty

Highly decorative, demanding on growing conditions. It is subendemic and grows in nature only on volcanic soils. Forms dense cushions with dark green leaves, completely strewn with small blue flowers pure shade and with subtle aroma. In garden conditions, propagation is possible only by dividing the rhizome. Veronica small requires nutritious soil, but when complete absence Organics need constant moderate moisture and good lighting (sunny places).

Veronica officinalis plant

This type has several advantages at once - decorativeness and benefits. The plant is perennial, with creeping stems that take root at the nodes. It grows quickly - up to 20 cm per season, so it can be used as a ground cover. The flowers are collected in small clusters, pale lilac in color. Flowering lasts from June to September. Mainly used as an ornamental foliage plant. Resistant to trampling, drought, frost, shade-tolerant, competitive. The high degree of growth should be taken into account when choosing a planting site. IN folk medicine Veronica officinalis is used primarily as an expectorant for bronchial asthma, bronchitis in the form of infusions, decoctions, tea.

Features of cultivation

Veronica is a plant (description above), or rather a whole genus with numerous representatives, with an unpretentious character. The only exceptions are a few varieties. Care is absolutely simple. The plant is undemanding to soil, light, and proximity to other species. If you decide to grow it in your flower beds, then you should pay attention to several main points.

When preparing the substrate for planting, pay attention to the variety that you are planting, and depending on this, supplement it with the necessary components, for example, for hairy and gravelly - crushed stone.
A high degree of drought tolerance does not mean that there is no need to water. On the contrary, most species prefer moderate moisture.
Cut off faded inflorescences, this way you will preserve the decorative appearance of the bush longer and, perhaps, achieve repeated flowering.

Perhaps many people have come across this flower in a meadow or forest clearing. Veronica plant is quite cute, has inflorescences of bluish or blue shades. Due to the fact that certain species are often found in nature, they cannot be found in garden plots.

Characteristics and description of the Veronica plant

Perennial plant Veronica

As soon as Veronica became a cultivated plant, it was taken as the basis for breeding new varieties used in gardening. Mankind has known the flower for a long time, as it is considered a plant with medicinal properties.

The most beautiful type of flower is Veronica Bolshaya. This is a perennial that forms thick shoots, the height of which reaches fifty and sometimes seventy centimeters. On them are placed opposite leaves, their jagged shapes reminiscent of testicles.

Veronica Big

The most famous varieties

From the huge number of popular flower species, the following plants can be distinguished:

Medicinal

Veronica Medicinal

It grows in wooded areas. Distinctive features are low-growing stems that spread like a carpet.. They have pale green leaves and purple inflorescences.

Branched

Veronica Vetvistaya

The main habitat is mountainous areas. Looks like low thickets covered with inflorescences of blue and pink shades. This variety is demanding in terms of care. It is difficult to tolerate drought and can freeze in winter.

Dubravnaya

Veronica Dubravnaya

Small

Veronica Melkaya

Woody

Veronica Woody

Low growing perennial. Forms creeping stems covered with numerous foliage. In winter, without snow cover, it can freeze.

Planting and care

Although the flower is unpretentious, it requires moderate watering. Excessive moisture can cause its death.. Caring for the flower is not difficult; any soil is suitable for planting.

It feels most comfortable at a temperature range of 14 to 20 degrees Celsius.

Pruning is done after the flower has faded. This measure will be an excellent stimulant for the formation of young foliage.

Veronica reproduces in several ways:

division of rhizomes;
cuttings;
seeds.

When growing such a flower, gardeners give preference to a suitable option.

Veronica is usually propagated by three well-known methods: seeds, dividing the bush and cuttings

Sowing is carried out in the fall. But it is also possible to sow in the spring, if the seed fund is first stratified.

To begin with, the stems are removed and the bush is dug up. The roots are cut with a knife or spatula.

Divide the bush into equal parts so that there are at least three shoots on the first root. Having completed the procedure, it is necessary to immediately plant it in the ground.

Useful qualities

The medicinal properties of the plant have been known since ancient times. Veronica has long been used as a remedy to cure various diseases.

Of particular value are the tops of the stems with leaves and inflorescences.. Harvesting is carried out with the onset of summer, when flowering is at its peak. Drying time must be reduced to a minimum, for which a temperature regime of forty degrees is created. This allows you to reduce losses and preserve the color shade. If everything is done correctly, Veronica will retain its healing properties for two years.

Besides this, used as an ornamental plant to decorate the garden area.

Veronica is grown today in any type of soil composition. But the plant feels best on loamy soil. It requires a sufficient amount of light, although shaded areas are suitable for breeding.

A plant resistant to harsh winters, speedwell is grown both for decorative purposes and for cooking. healing decoctions. In total, more than 500 species are known for garden planting. There is no such diversity in nature, but there are also quite a few wild species. There are perennial, annual and shrub species, each of which is diluted with varietal diversity.

Despite its belonging to the plantain family, its appearance is very different from its main representative, the plantain. Veronica is common in temperate climate zones and is found in the foothills of Altai, in the forests of Siberia and the Urals. Its spikelets decorate meadows all over the world, and gardeners love it for its ease of care and ability to get along with other plants.

Features of Veronica agricultural technology: cultivation and care

Veronica is loved by gardeners for its unpretentiousness, lack of special techniques, and variety of species and varieties. If Veronica is chosen as the resident of the flowerbed, then you should remember the basic rules for any perennial plant.

Important requirements that cannot be avoided:

The sunny side of the site, where light will be present from morning to evening. Shady and semi-shaded areas will not provide the decorative properties declared by breeders.
Pay attention to watering: each type requires a certain amount of water. When breeding Veronica, you need to get acquainted not only with decorative value, but also the conditions of care. Herbaceous creeping species do not tolerate drought, die without water, and flowering stops. Erect, tall species can easily tolerate drought and heat.
Liquid organic fertilizers are used as top dressing during the period of budding and flowering. In nature and wild breeding it does well without additional feeding. Nutrients There is enough soil for growth and flowering. Flowerbeds with depleted soil can be fed with organic matter: humus, manure, infusion of nettle and burdock.
Tall bushes need a garter. The thin stem cannot withstand the pressure of the wind, which can not only tilt downward, depriving it of its aesthetic appearance, but also break it. Twigs, a picket fence, and willow branches will do.
In the fall, after flowering ends, the above-ground part is cut off, the roots are additionally covered with humus, peat, dry leaves, spruce branches, creating a cushion that will protect against abnormal low temperatures.

Veronica propagation methods

There are 3 methods used to breed Veronica:

Sprouted Veronica seed photo

seminal;
dividing the bush;
cuttings.

Despite the troublesome nature of the seed method, it is used when one wants to obtain a healthy independent bush with pure varietal characteristics. This is also an opportunity to improve the health of planting material and increase its quantity quite cheaply.

The seeds are sown directly into the ground in the fall or in the spring, Veronica is grown on a windowsill in seedlings.

Densely sprouted seedlings are thinned out, creating gaps between bushes from 20 to 50 cm, depending on the type. Tall plants need more space to grow.

How to grow veronica seedlings at home

Veronica plant growing from seeds to seedlings photo

In February, speedwell seeds are moistened and kept in the refrigerator in a wet cloth, wrapped in a bag, for about a month.

We take out seeds that have been stratified in the refrigerator to plant in March.
Fill containers or cups with nutrient soil.
Veronica seeds, although small, allow you to sow them one at a time, so don’t be lazy and place one seed in a cup or 5 cm apart in a container.
Sprinkle with a thin layer of earth and moisten.
Cover with film until shoots appear.
When seedlings appear, remove the cover and place the seedlings on a light windowsill.
Watering is carried out as the soil dries; there must be holes in the container to drain excess water.
When the seedlings have 8-10 true leaves, they can be planted in the ground.

Veronica seedlings ready for planting photo

Before planting, seedlings are hardened, accustoming them to air and sun. This should be done one to two weeks before the planned landing, gradually increasing the time spent on the street to a full day.

Autumn planting of seeds in open ground subjects the seeds to stratification (cold test).

Spring sowing requires artificially created conditions of exposure to cold for 1-2 months. After which the seeds are immersed in the soil, no deeper than 2 cm, so that germination is not difficult.

Dividing the bush It is considered a quick and convenient way of reproduction. Flower stalks will appear in the first year of planting. Choose the most large bush, separate several sprouts using a shovel or garden knife. After moving to a new place, the bushes are covered for successful adaptation. After ten days, the covering material is removed, allowing the bushes to grow independently. Usually the procedure is carried out before flowering, in spring, or after - in early autumn.

Propagation of Veronica by cuttings photo

Propagation by cuttings passes by cutting a 10 cm long shoot from a healthy bush. It is allowed to germinate in water, after which it is planted in a permanent place.

How to propagate Veronica from cuttings photo

You can keep the cuttings for several hours in the root solution and place them in nutrient soil for germination. But in this case, it is necessary to create greenhouse conditions by covering the cuttings with a plastic bag until rooting.

We propagate Veronica from cuttings photo

The procedure is performed in August, then the sprout will have time to take root and strengthen in the ground before winter. Next year the bush will delight you with excellent flowering.

The beauty of Veronica, her species diversity Any gardener will love them.

Pest protection

Veronica planting and care photo Veronica surculosa

Due to its natural endurance, Veronica is rarely affected by infections. Waterlogged soil or a shady area of the garden can provoke the appearance of downy mildew (a gray coating on the leaves). For treatment, a fungicidal solution is prepared from the preparations Fitosporin, Alirin-B, Gamair.

Eliminating the diseased plant and treating the flower bed with nematicides will help fight the ring spot virus. The carriers of the virus are nematodes that live in the soil. Yellow, curled foliage is a sign of soil damage by nematodes, and the plants have ring spot.

Among insect pests, you can most often find caterpillars that eat foliage and young shoots. Warming up the soil, timely weeding, and a break in watering will save you from them. Less common are cutworms, moths, and long-whiskered moths, which can be treated with insecticides.

Description of the Veronica veronica plant, origin

Veronica spiky red fox photo

Veronica is difficult to confuse with other plants due to the combination of characteristics of nettle, plantain and bells. If you look at a flowerbed with veronica from afar, it is not very bright, but resembles a solid carpet. Therefore, when creating garden decor, they use not one plant, but several at once, diluting the green mass with bright spots.
Root system. Each type of speedwell has its own differences in the type of rhizomes:

filamentous with a superficial location;
thick with shallow germination;
thin mesh, occupying a large underground area.

Perennial bushes have a deep root that can withstand low winter temperatures.

Annual species differ in more delicate roots: thread-like and superficial.

Stems. Veronica has a long, dense, cylindrical stem. Some species have an erect ground part, others have a creeping part. Depending on the location of the stems, the plant represents its decorative value. The strong weave of fibers allows it to withstand weight loads when humans or animals walk. It will not be possible to break off or tear off part of the bush, only with the use of a tool.

Leaves. Externally, the leaf blade resembles nettle: oval with a carved edge, and has small hairs. Unlike nettle, it does not leave burns and behaves friendly. The color range of the green mass is mostly bright green, although there are some gray. The leaves are arranged alternately or oppositely on the stem, rarely in whorls.

Flowers. Natural color is deep blue, garden culture you can find white, blue, lilac, purple shades. The inflorescence is a spikelet with a dense arrangement of small flowers on it, bell-shaped with a carved edge. They bloom alternately from bottom to top, so flowering lasts for a long time. The lower ones form seed pods, while the upper ones continue to flower.

For your creeping species The grass is popularly called snake grass or Veronica grass. IN fiction you can find the name “goat face” or “blue face”. Some species are similar to forget-me-nots, so this name also stuck with Veronica.

All garden varieties are produced from wild species. The combination of decorative properties and natural endurance has made the species the most numerous in the plantain family.

Types and varieties of Veronica with descriptions and photos

Its prevalence throughout the globe has made it possible to adapt to any natural and climatic conditions. Some species are named after their place of growth, and varietal names are more reminiscent of a description of external characteristics. The remoteness of the places where speedwell is domesticated provides an explanation for such significant species differences. There are low and tall plants, with long erect stems or short ones up to 30 cm, shrubs with strong stems or herbaceous thread-like stems.

Veronica Armenian Veronica armena

Veronica Armenian Veronica armena photo

With its blue flowers it is more reminiscent of forget-me-nots, the same open five-leaf inflorescences. Mountain slopes and sudden changes in temperature left their mark on appearance Veronica. The plant is low-growing, creeping, the green mass fills the entire space of the flowerbed. The needle-shaped leaves create the image of a fluffy carpet, with blue flowers glowing on top in a bright pattern.

Armenian speedwell grows up to 10 cm. This size allows it to withstand the wind, the small area of the leaf plate does not allow moisture to quickly evaporate, and protects it from fading in the sun. A large variety of varieties allows you to choose color scheme.

Veronica Caucasica Veronica caucasica

Veronica Caucasica Veronica caucasica photo

The leaves and stem are deep green, lower part plants are darker than the top one. The leaves are small, elongated with jagged edges. They are located in the axils in several pieces, distributed evenly along the stem. The flowers are pastel in color, mostly lilac or lilac with thin purple veins. Rocky soil is well suited for growing, so the flower can be used in the design of alpine slides.

Veronica Caucasian in landscape design photo

Low sizes are resistant to windy weather. The creeping, strong stem quickly recovers after being crushed and is resistant to trampling. Does not tolerate chernozem soil, this is taken into account when preparing the flower bed.

Veronica large or broadleaf Veronica teucrium

Veronica large wide variety Royal blue blue Veronica teucrium Royal Blue

A plant up to 70 cm high with an erect stem covered with small hairs. In the wild it is found in the fields of Siberia, the Middle Urals, Western Europe, and the Mediterranean. Loves fertile soils, resistant to weather instability.

The root system is strong, creeping, and can withstand low winter temperatures. The leaves are double-sided: smooth on top, covered with hairs below, like on a stem. The flowers are collected in a panicle and located on top of the stem. The color scheme is presented in blue, pink, and purple shades.
The most famous varieties:

"True Blue" up to 60 cm high with a flowering period of 30 days;
"Shirley Blue" at favorable conditions reaches 50 cm, blooms in May to mid-June, then used as a green background for annuals.

Veronica gentianoides

White Veronica gentianoides variety Veronica gentianoides ‘Tissington White’ photo

Low-growing plant with a long flowering period. It begins to bloom at the beginning of summer, and ends flowering by the end of summer; under favorable conditions, it continues to bloom until mid-September. The flowers are white, lined with blue stripes. From a distance it takes on a bluish tint, but upon closer inspection, distinct blue veins are visible. The main leaf mass is located at the base of the bush; small adjacent leaves are located in pairs along the stem. The color is silvery-green, the edge of the leaf is framed by a light border.

The flower does not tolerate waterlogged soil; more often it is planted in a flowerbed alone, without a companion. Looks advantageous on a sandy or pebble base.

Veronica woody Veronica surculosa

Veronica woody variety Veronica surculosa ‘Waterperry Blue’ photo

A plant with a strong creeping stem that becomes woody after winter. Loves well-drained soils and is not afraid of low temperatures, but in harsh climates it is better to protect it from freezing.

A perennial whose flowers bloom in early July and delight with their beauty until mid-September. The color of the petals ranges from deep pink to purple; there are varieties with bright and pastel colors.

Veronica Crimean Veronica taurica

Veronica Crimean Veronica taurica photo

Its bright blue flowers on a dark green background are visible from afar. Therefore, it is planted in rocky background conditions. Many gardeners prefer to plant Crimean speedwell along the edge of the flowerbed, decorating borders and paths. It prefers a mild climate without temperature changes, so in regions with variable climates it is better to grow as an annual.

Veronica filiformis

Veronica filiformis photo

It belongs to the spring primroses, which blooms at the end of April and blooms before the onset of heat, until about mid-May. It is better to grow with a companion, when the foliage will act as a background for bright colors annuals. Goes well with asters, annual dahlias, gerberas, and better than low-growing varieties.

During the flowering period, the soft green carpet is covered with light blue flowers, some of which may bloom until late spring. It is advisable to remove faded buds to maintain a neat appearance.

Veronica gray Veronica incana

Veronica gray or gray Veronica incana photo

The most unusual among Veronicas. Her silver leaves and the stem will dilute the color scheme of the garden and add dynamics. Intense blue flowers are collected in a tall panicle at the top. It begins to bloom from July to the end of summer.

Speedwell Veronica peduncularis

Veronica pedicel variety Veronica peduncularis ‘Georgia Blue’ photo

The herbaceous perennial plant blooms with blue four-petaled flowers, the middle of which is yellow. From a distance they resemble forget-me-nots or violets. The bush is tall, up to 70 cm, blooms profusely.

Veronica longifolia Veronica longifolia

Veronica longifolia photo

The species is characterized by tall bushes, up to 1.5 m, with a thin long stem, branching from above into several flower-bearing panicles. The inflorescences themselves are tall, flowering begins from the bottom, reaching the top by September. Shades range from purple to bluish and blue. More suitable for growing with wildflowers, on large plantations, decoration of wild lawns.

Veronica officinalis Veronica officinalis

Veronica officinalis photo

Common perennial in the regions middle zone Russia and East Asia. It is noticeable due to its soft lilac or blue flowers and soft green leaves collected in bunches.

Veronica officinalis and longifolia have not only decorative value, but also medicinal properties. They are used as an anti-inflammatory, hemostatic, and choleretic agent. One-component decoctions and drinks are prepared and as part of preparations.

Veronica vulgare increases blood circulation, restores cognitive functions: improves memory, concentrates attention.

Veronica hybrid - a luxurious garden decoration

Veronica hybrid Atomic Mix Veronica photo

Veronica is an excellent ornamental plant that can be grown in open ground, both for the purpose of decorating a garden plot and for medicinal purposes. Although speedwell belongs to the plantain family, it bears little resemblance to plantain: a delicate, neat plant can become a worthy decorative element in any flowerbed. Next, about the features of growing speedwell in open ground: planting, care, the best varieties (photos and instructions are attached).

Veronica flower: description of the plant, characteristics of the main varieties

Veronica is a herbaceous rhizomatous perennial. The plant is represented by a wide variety of varieties and varieties, each of which differs in height, external characteristics, including the color and shape of leaves, flowers and even rhizomes (the roots can be thin and long, or quite powerful and short, there are even thread-like ones).

The openwork flowers of the plant are presented in a rich range of shades: blue (natural color), white, pink, etc. They are collected in small spike-shaped or paniculate inflorescences. The duration of the flowering period of Veronica depends on the characteristics of a particular variety.

Advice. If you want to achieve the longest flowering period for Veronica in your garden, you need to optimally combine the cultivation of several varieties that differ in flowering periods.

The species diversity of the plant makes it possible to choose the best option both for home conditions and for growing in open ground. The following varieties can be particularly distinguished:

Medicinal. A perennial ground plant with small soft green leaves and neat decorative flowers in lilac, pink and blue shades.

Medicinal veronica

Longifolia. A powerful tall plant (one of the tallest in the Veronica genus). The inflorescences of the plant are quite long, with a spectacular light purple color. It has a long flowering period: throughout the summer until the beginning of autumn. It is incredibly popular among gardeners not only due to its decorative but also medicinal properties; in particular, the variety is an excellent antiseptic.

Longleaf speedwell

Caucasian. The leaves of the plant are dissected and colored bright green. The flowers have an unusual purple color and thin purple stripes.

Caucasian speedwell

Gentian. A low-growing plant with thin stems bearing delicate white flowers, the petals of which are covered with small blue stripes.

Gentian speedwell

Woody. It is a small creeping plant with greenish-gray leaves and pink flowers.

Woody speedwell

Crimean. A dwarf variety (reaches only 20 cm in height) with small light green leaves and blue flowers.

Crimean speedwell

Gray-haired. An unusual low-growing variety with bluish leaves and bright blue inflorescences.

Gray Veronica

Plant propagation

The process of propagation of speedwell is carried out in 3 ways: seeds, cuttings or dividing the bush. The seed method is considered quite troublesome, but this is the best option for those who want to get a healthy bush with full-fledged characteristics of the variety. Seeds can either be sown directly into the ground in the fall, or pre-prepared seedlings can be planted in the spring.

If you plan to sow seedlings, you should start preparing planting material ahead of time. At the end of winter, the seeds must be wrapped in damp gauze and placed in the refrigerator for 25-30 days.

Adult plants are easily propagated by dividing the bush

Planting a plant in open ground

Advice. Although Veronica is not a picky plant, it is very sensitive to the amount of sunlight, so the place for planting the crop must be chosen exclusively sunny (in extreme cases, partial shade will do, but dense, beautiful flowering will be much more difficult to achieve).

Planting a young plant or seeds must be done in moist and well-loosened soil, previously enriched with nutritious organic matter.

Subtleties of plant care

The Veronica plant is quite easy to grow: even a beginner can grow a healthy, strong flower in open ground. Read more about what measures Veronica needs to care for garden plants.

Veronica is rarely affected by pests

Watering and fertilizing regime

Advice. To slow down the process of soil loss of moisture and control the growth of weeds, you can periodically acidify the soil: the plant will only be happy about this (Veronica really loves acidic or slightly acidic soil).

Diseases and pests

Despite the fact that various insects always hover near the plant, attracted by its fragrant pollen (bees, butterflies, etc.), Veronica is resistant to this kind of “encroachment.”

Sometimes aphids can “visit” Veronica growing in the garden. If there is not too much of it, there is no need to worry: the plant is able to cope with the pest on its own.

Veronica in landscape design

Combination of Veronica with other plants

Veronica is often used as a wonderful group plant that can be used as one of the main decorative elements in alpine roller coaster, flower beds and mixborders. The main purpose of using veronica in landscape design is to give the garden area ease and lightness. Veronica is suitable for growing near borders, where not every plant can survive.

Advice. If you are willing to take risks for the sake of a spectacular garden plot, try using contrasting combinations: for example, speedwell and rose. As a result, you will get a winning composition in which each element will be beautifully emphasized by the other.

These are all the subtleties that need to be taken into account when growing veronica in open ground. Good luck!

Veronica's landing: video

poor, fertile, medium fertility, drained, waterlogged, sandy loam, loamy, clayey

Soil moisture

humid, moderately humid, dry

Lifespan

Illumination

straight sun rays, penumbra

Reproduction

cuttings, seeds, division

Boarding time

spring, summer, autumn

Portrait of Veronica

Genus Veronica (Veronica, stress on the second syllable) belongs to the family Scrophulariaceae and includes about 300 species of annual, biennial and perennial herbs or subshrubs. Speedwells grow all over the globe, but are more common in temperate and cold regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The origin of the genus name is still debated. Some believe that the plant is named after Saint Veronica. Others say that the name comes from the Latin words “vera unica” - “real medicine” (veronica has long been used in medicine). Most speedwells are fibrous, in some species they are represented by rhizomes and are located close to the soil surface. Some species have. The stems are straight or spread along the ground, most often covered with whole sessile leaves, arranged in a regular order either opposite or whorled. The corolla is medium-sized, consisting of four petals of white, blue, deep blue, violet, and less often pink. Flowers are usually collected in lateral or apical spike-shaped or racemose inflorescences, rarely solitary. In the lower part, the petals grow together to form a tube. The upper part remains free, forming a fold. The fruit is a capsule bearing small seeds.

The genus is very large and diverse, so some botanists classify certain species of speedwells as genus Veronicastrum (Veronicastrum) And Veronichnik (Pseudolysimachion). The differences between them are very relative. Veronicastrum - herbaceous perennials with tall (up to 1.5 m) stems that are not prone to falling apart. They are covered with lanceolate leaves (3-9 pieces in a whorl) and crowned with large spike-shaped inflorescences. Currently, representatives of the genus Veronicastrum belong to the genus Thin stamen (Leptandra). Veronichniki - herbaceous perennials with lanceolate leaves and dense inflorescences. The petals grow together in the lower part by at least a third, forming a rather long tube. The fruit is slightly flattened on the sides. Other representatives of the genus Veronica , used in floriculture, are also herbaceous perennials.

Veronica planting

Low-growing species of speedwell growing in the mountains are drought-resistant, undemanding to the soil and light-loving. Only one of them - Veronica Koloskovaya - able to tolerate waterlogging. Tall speedwells usually prefer fertile ones, tolerate partial shade and are moisture-loving, but many of them can tolerate drought. Some Veronica - gentian, prostrate, medicinal - tolerate shading. Veronica gray loses its silvery tint in the shade, and Veronica branchy does not tolerate overheating, so the optimal place for planting it will be an area in partial shade. Unpretentious Veronica creeping And Veronica threadlike They develop successfully both in the sun, but are most spectacular in the shade, for example.

They differ in their love for moisture veronicastrum And Veronica grandiflora . Veronica petty fresh soil with regular moisture is needed. Veronica large, gentian, prostrate, filamentous moisture-loving, but tolerate drought. The latter quickly forms in a damp area. Veronica's handicap And key planted either or in a container immersed in water to a depth of 10 cm. They are unpretentious, but need clean water.

Veronica does not have any special requirements for soil fertility. They prefer calcareous, non-acidic, loose, drained loams or. But veronicastrum It is better to plant on rich fertile loams. Mountain Speedwell - Armenian, spikelet, gravelly, small, Schmidt, large-flowered - grow and develop better when crushed stone and sand are added to the soil.

Growing Veronica

Speedwell, large, Sakhalin prone to falling apart, they should be . Veronica creeping, filamentous, key, rail , their growth is limited if necessary. After flowering, the height of the aboveground part decreases greatly, which is especially noticeable in tall plants. Speedwell Austrian, gentian, spikelet . Low-growing species are consistently decorative: after trimming faded inflorescences, new shoots grow. In the fall, it is advisable to mulch the plants with neutral or humus to cover the root system located close to the soil surface. Veronica is winter-hardy without shelter; the loss of plants after winter is associated with waterlogging of the soil, so it is important to take care of the drainage of the area. Only Veronica branched And woody need preventative.

Reproduction of speedwell

Veronica is most often propagated by dividing the bush. The superficial root system allows this operation to be performed painlessly and easily. Divide at the end of April - beginning of May, when the leaves begin to appear, or in September, after flowering. The cuttings are rooted in a loose substrate (neutral peat and sand, perlite). If the cuttings are large, with a well-developed root system, you can immediately plant them in the flower garden. Planting distance depends on the size of the plant. For large ones (about 1 m in height) it is 40-50 cm (5-7 pieces per 1 sq.m.), for medium-sized ones (30-60 cm in height) - 30-40 cm (7-9 pieces per sq.m.). m), for small ones (up to 20 cm in height) - 20-30 cm (16-20 pieces per 1 sq.m.).

Green cuttings are propagated less frequently. In June-July, cuttings about 10 cm long are prepared by cutting off the tops of the shoots and removing the inflorescences. They are rooted in perlite or a mixture of peat and sand (1:1).

AND threadlike - wonderful. They are used as an alternative to lawn where its establishment is problematic, for example, in orchard. This coating does not require mowing and is resistant to trampling. It has been noticed that speedwell improves the structure of the soil, making it looser.

Veronica pests and diseases

Veronica is rarely damaged by diseases and pests. But in the wrong place or in cool, rainy summers it becomes susceptible to powdery mildew, spotting, and rust. When diseases appear, plants are treated with fungicides (for example, Foundationazole). In the fall, you need to destroy plant debris. The most harmful pests are nematodes and aphids. Insecticides are used for (Aktara, Tanrek), for the destruction of nematodes - nematicides (Fenamiphos, Aldicarb).

Veronicas are unpretentious in care and do not need feeding. Watering is necessary only for moisture-loving species.