About
This compact evergreen shrub reaches a height of approximately 1.2 meters and features slender, shiny dark green leaves that have reddish veins. From mid to late summer, it produces elongated flower spikes that begin as rose pink and gradually lighten to almost white.
About the genus
Veronica encompasses annuals, perennials, and sub-shrubs characterized by opposite leaves and small flowers that typically appear in terminal or axillary racemes or spikes.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Neutral, Alkaline
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 1-1.5 metres
- Spread
- 1-1.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Suits a range of well-drained soils, but best grown in poor to moderately fertile, neutral to slightly alkaline soil, in sun or light shade with shelter from cold, drying winds. May need winter protection in cold winters
- Pruning
- Minimal pruning required, see pruning group 9
- Propagation
- Root semi-ripe cuttings with bottom heat in late summer or autumn
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to aphids
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to downy mildews, fungal leaf spot, fungal rot, Phytophthora and sometimes honey fungus