Veronica anagallis-aquatica
blue water-speedwell
Europe, temperate Asia, and North Africa
Overview
Veronica anagallis-aquatica is a hairless, semi-aquatic perennial in the Plantaginaceae, growing 8–40 inches (20–100 cm) tall from a creeping, rooting base in shallow water and saturated ground. The erect to ascending stems are hollow and somewhat fleshy, branching in the upper part. Leaves are opposite, lance-shaped to oblong, 1–5 inches (2.5–12 cm) long, stalkless and partly clasping the stem, with finely toothed margins. Four-lobed flowers, 0.16–0.24 inch (4–6 mm) across, are pale blue to lilac with darker veins and are carried in slender, opposite racemes rising from the leaf axils. Flowering runs from June to September, followed by rounded, slightly notched seed capsules about 0.12 inch (3 mm) wide. It occurs along streams, ditches, pond margins, and seasonally flooded ground across Europe, Asia, and North Africa, and is naturalised in parts of North America. The species needs consistently wet soil or standing water and declines quickly where the site dries out; it can also spread in nutrient-rich water and crowd smaller marginal plants. Plants behave as short-lived perennials and may flower in their first year from seed.
Native Range
Native across Europe, temperate Asia, and North Africa in wet habitats such as ditches, streams, and pond margins. It has naturalised in parts of North America and other temperate regions.Suggested Uses
Used at pond and stream margins, in bog gardens, and in constructed wetlands for water filtration and bank stabilisation. It also supports aquatic invertebrates in naturalistic water features.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 3'4"
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Bloom Information
Flowers from June to September in long succession along the racemes. Each flower is short-lived, but new buds open in sequence, and rounded capsules follow through late summer.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
pale blue to lilacFoliage Description
mid-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun to light shade in shallow water, pond margins, or permanently moist soil. Water needs are high, and the plant fails in soil that dries between waterings. It tolerates a range of mineral soils but spreads fastest in nutrient-rich mud. Propagation is by seed sown on wet substrate or by division of the rooting stems in spring. Stem fragments root readily, so containment in formal water gardens may be needed. It is hardy to roughly USDA zone 5.Pruning
Spent flowering stems can be cut back through the season to limit self-seeding. Plants can be thinned or divided in spring to manage spread. Old growth dies back over winter and is removed before regrowth.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early spring
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons