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Veronica gracilis

slender speedwell

Plantaginaceae South-eastern Australia

Attracts Pollinators Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 8–10

Overview

Veronica gracilis is a slender perennial herb in the family Plantaginaceae, forming low, spreading clumps 4-16 inches (10-40 cm) tall with weak, trailing to ascending stems. The leaves are opposite, narrow, lance-shaped to linear, 0.4-1.2 inches (1-3 cm) long, with smooth or slightly toothed margins and a thin texture. Small four-lobed flowers about 0.2-0.4 inch (5-10 mm) across appear singly in the upper leaf axils, pale blue to mauve with darker veins and a white centre, carried on thread-like stalks. Flowering occurs mainly in spring and early summer. Flowers are followed by flattened, heart-shaped seed capsules that split to release small seeds. Growth is moderate, with stems rooting where they touch moist soil and forming loose mats over a season. The species grows in grassland, open woodland, and damp ground, and dies back or thins in extended dry periods. The slender stems and sparse foliage give an open, wiry appearance rather than dense cover.

Native Range

Native to south-eastern Australia, including Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania, and South Australia. Grows in grassland, open eucalypt woodland, and along damp drainage lines and forest margins, on moist, moderately fertile soils.

Suggested Uses

Planted in native grassland and meadow gardens, rockeries, and the front of moist borders at 8-12 inch (20-30 cm) spacing. Suited to damp, informal plantings and the edges of ponds or swales. The trailing habit suits containers and hanging plantings with regular moisture.

How to Identify

Identified by weak, trailing to ascending stems and opposite narrow lance-shaped to linear leaves 0.4-1.2 inches (1-3 cm) long. Pale blue to mauve four-lobed flowers 0.2-0.4 inch (5-10 mm) across sit singly on thread-like stalks in the upper leaf axils. The flattened heart-shaped seed capsules separate it from grassland herbs with rounded fruit.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height4" - 1'4"

Width/Spread1' - 1'8"

Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowers mainly in spring and early summer (September to December in its native range), with scattered flowering after rain. Individual flowers are short-lived, opening over several weeks across the plant. Flowering is reduced in dry conditions and heavier in moist seasons.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Pale blue to mauve

Foliage Description

Mid-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

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

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay sand

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1-2 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Water during dry spells to keep the soil lightly moist, as the species grows naturally on damp ground and thins under drought. Plants grow in full sun to part shade and tolerate a range of soils, favouring those that hold some moisture. Stems root where they contact moist soil, spreading the clump slowly. No serious pests or diseases affect the species, though aphids may gather on soft growth. Straggly stems can be cut back after flowering to keep a compact form. Plants are short-lived and may need dividing or replacing every few years.

Pruning

Trim straggly stems after flowering to maintain a compact mound and encourage fresh growth. No structural pruning is required. Plants can be cut back hard in late autumn or winter as they die down.

Pruning Schedule

summer

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 3 gallons

✓ Toxicity

Non-toxic