Speedwell – Veronica longifolia and V. spp.

Common Name: Speedwell, Veronica

Botanical Name: Veronica longifolia and V. spp., ver-ON-i-ca lon-ji-FOL-ee-a

Decorative Life: About 7 days.

Flower Color: Blue, White

Availability: Summer, Year Round

As a field-grown flower, may not overwinter well in certain areas.

• Member of the Scrophulariaceae (figwort family).
• Native to Europe and Asia.
• Some common relatives include calceolaria, snapdragon, foxglove, monkeyflower and penstemon.

• Has many small flowers in terminal columnar clusters, 3-6 inches long.
• Stems up to 24 inches long.
• Plant is a herbaceous perennial, classed as a dicotyledon, leaves not parallel veined.
• Flowers not fragrant.

Hold at 36-41F for limited time, long-term storage not recommended.

• The name Veronica derives from the resemblance of the flower to the markings on the handkerchief of St. Veronica.
• The specific epithet name “longifolia” means long-leafed.
• Many species in this 3000 plus species family are grown for ornamental and medicinal purposes including slipperwort, speedwell, mullein, bearded-tongue, foxglove, snapdragon, toadflax, monkey-flower, cape-fuchsia, coral-plant, nemesia, and blue-lips.

I find that Veronica is hard to hydrate when it comes in dry packed. I use Quick Dip and leave it outside the cooler for about 2 hours to hydrate. I also found that it hydrates best when left in its shipping packaging, this also helps it to harden off with straight stems. (Vanessa Singleton)