Veronica peduncularis is a low-growing perennial with lush, green foliage forming a dense mat. Its creeping habit is adapted to cover ground efficiently, making it ideal for rock gardens or as a border plant. In the spring, delicate blue flowers with a white center and intricate veining rise on short stalks, offering a vibrant display against the cushion of leaves.
I. Appearance and CharacteristicsÂ
Veronica peduncularis, the creeping speedwell, is a flowering plant in the plantain family, Plantaginaceae. Listed under its synonym Veronica umbrosa, its cultivar ‘Georgia Blue’ has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.
It is a semi-evergreen perennial with alternate, simple leaves on creeping stems. The flowers are blue, and borne in spring. Though hardy, it requires a sheltered spot in full sun with good drainage. It is a suitable subject for a gravel garden or alpine garden.
II. How to Grow and Care
Veronica peduncularis is a low-growing perennial with lush, green foliage forming a dense mat. Its creeping habit is adapted to cover ground efficiently, making it ideal for rock gardens or as a border plant. In the spring, delicate blue flowers with a white center and intricate veining rise on short stalks, offering a vibrant display against the cushion of leaves.
Sunlight
Veronica peduncularis likes light. It can grow well in full sunshine and is also slightly tolerant to a semi-shade environment. During its growth, more light is needed. Over 14 hours of light per day is conducive to its bloom, and the longer the light duration is, the earlier it blooms. If the sunshine duration is less than 14 hours a day, it is easy to cause the plant to overgrow with difficulty to bloom. When sunshine duration is short, artificial supplemental light is needed.
Temperature
Veronica peduncularis , native to temperate Asia and Northern Europe, prefers a warm growth environment, and is relatively cold-resistant. It is suitable for growing in the temperature range of 15 to 25 ℃. It should be noted that overwatering should be avoided in winter.
Watering
Veronica peduncularis is a plant that thrives in moderate moisture conditions, typical of its native habitat. It displays a balanced water habit, neither favoring drought nor excessive humidity. To maintain this balance, it requires watering every week. Being an outdoor plant predominantly, veronica peduncularis flourishes in regions with consistent rainfall patterns throughout the growing season.
Soil
Veronica peduncularis is suitable for growing in fertile, thick, but well-drained sandy soil with an appropriate pH of 5.8 to 7.5. The mixed soil is better and can ensure good permeability. It cannot live in the soil with excessive moisture. In particularly, excessive soil moisture should be avoided in winter. The cultivating soil should be well drained and can be mixed with clay, wood fibers such as bark and coconut bran, and sand at the ratio of 3:2:2:2.
Fertilizing
Veronica peduncularis does not require much fertilizer, so applying a little is fine. After it enters the growth period, it is necessary to apply a small amount of water-soluble compound fertilizer with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium at the ratio of 20-10-20. In order to promote the flowering, when veronica peduncularis is about to enter the flowering period, it is necessary to apply water-soluble compound fertilizer with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium at the ratio of 10-30-20, generally 10 to 15 days before the flowering period.
Fertilizer can be reduced after early fall, as its growth speed begins to slow. Fertilization is not required in the recovery period because the nutrient absorbing ability of the injured root system is weak. Too much fertilizer can lead to an injured root system or slow growth.
Planting Instructions
Veronica peduncularis can be propagated by its seeds, and the seeds can be sown in flowerpots or gardens. If sown in a flowerpot, it can be done in early spring. Fill the flowerpot with cultivable soil, fill a little water in a shallow pan, and place the pan at the bottom of the flowerpot, so that the water permeates the soil thoroughly and makes it moist. Spread the seeds on the soil, cover with another layer of fine soil, and finally cover the flowerpot with cling film or a glass plate. The seeds will germinate in about 20 days at 20 ℃. When the seedlings grow up, you can transplant them where you want.
If sown in a garden, it should be done later, from mid-spring to late spring. After sowing, water it once and cover the surface with plastic film. The seeds can germinate in about 30 days. It is best to have appropriate shade after sowing to avoid sun exposure.
Pruning
The withered flowers of veronica peduncularis will not fall off from the flowering branches automatically, but still stay on the flowering branches. It is recommended that remnant flowers be removed in time to keep the plant look good, as well as to reduce unnecessary nutrient consumption, promoting the growth of underground parts.
Pruning should be done in the morning on sunny and dry days. When pruning, cut the flowering branch at the base where the last flower is in close proximity to it. Mastering the time of pruning can regulate the flowering period. In general, veronica peduncularis will bloom again in 20 days after pruning. After winter, when the ground temperature rises to above 0 ℃, almost early spring, the withered and yellowed parts overground should be pruned, so that it begins its growth in the new year.
Propagation
Veronica peduncularis can propagate through many methods like division propagation, sowing and cuttage. The best time for division is in the mid-spring, while the later time will delay the flowering period. While division is carried out, a 2- to 3-year-old plant should be chosen. Dig out the whole plant, shake off most of the soil from the roots, and separate the plant into clusters with a sharp and clean knife. Keep 6 to 8 buds on each part to ensure the ornamental effect when dividing the plant. After cutting, soak the cut part of the plant in 500-time dilution of carbendazim for 15 to 20 min for disinfection, and then remove it and let it dry slightly in natural light before planting.
Cuttage propagation often takes place in late spring or summer. Cut the shoot off, place it in a flower pot with cultivable soil and keep the soil moist. After the rooting takes place, it can be replaced in a larger flowerpot. When the seedling grows big enough, it can be transplanted where you want.
III. Harvesting and Storage
If 20%-30% flowers on each spica of veronica peduncularis bloom, the spica can be cut off for appreciation. For the cut spica, the vase life is about 8 to 14 days. When harvesting, sharp garden shears are recommended to cut to the base of the flowering branches, and then prune the flowering branches at an angle of 45° to increase the water absorption area. Put the cut branches in a vase with clean water in time to avoid water loss.
