Veronica chamaedrys
germander speedwell
Overview
Veronica chamaedrys is a low, spreading perennial in the plantain family, growing 4-16 inches (10-40 cm) tall with weak, hairy stems that root at the lower nodes and form loose mats. A line of long white hairs runs down two opposite sides of each stem, a feature shared with few related species. The opposite leaves are oval to triangular, 0.4-1.2 inches (1-3 cm) long, coarsely toothed, and softly hairy. From mid-spring into summer it bears loose, upright clusters of flat, four-lobed flowers 0.4-0.5 inch (10-12 mm) across, bright blue with a white eye and darker veins; each flower opens for about a day and drops its petals readily when touched. The plant spreads by creeping, rooting stems and by seed, forming patches in lawns, meadows, hedge banks, and open woodland. It grows in full sun to partial shade in moist, fertile soil and tolerates mowing, persisting as low mats in turf. In gardens it can move into beds and lawns from surrounding ground. The foliage is not known to be toxic. The bright blue flowers are visited by bees and hoverflies in spring.
Native Range
Veronica chamaedrys is native to Europe and western Asia. It has naturalized in North America and other temperate regions, where it grows in lawns, meadows, hedge banks, and open woodland.Suggested Uses
Veronica chamaedrys is grown occasionally as a low, spring-flowering groundcover in informal and wildflower plantings. In lawns and meadows it appears as a low-growing volunteer that tolerates mowing. Its mat-forming habit suits banks and open ground where some spread is acceptable.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 1'4"
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
bright blue with white eyeFoliage Description
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
Veronica chamaedrys grows in full sun to partial shade in moist, fertile soils and tolerates regular mowing. It needs little care, spreading by creeping, rooting stems to form low mats, and benefits from steady moisture in spring. In lawns it persists below mowing height and moves into beds from surrounding ground. It is pulled by hand where rooted stems are lifted with the plant. Dry summer conditions slow its spread. No fertilizing or watering is needed in most settings.Pruning
Mowing or shearing after the spring flush removes spent flowers and trims the spreading stems. Rooted stems that escape into beds can be lifted by hand, taking up the rooted nodes. No other pruning is needed for this low plant.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons