logo Wild Flower Web
Back

Click here to search for a different flower

Search

[?]

Open the Advanced Search

Rock Speedwell

Veronica fruticans

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
For more information please download the BSBI Code of Conduct PDF document.

Contents

Plant Profile

Flowering Months:
JAN  FEB  MAR  APR  MAY  JUN  JUL  AUG  SEP  OCT  NOV  DEC
Order:
Lamiales
Family:
Veronicaceae (Speedwell)
Also in this family:
Alpine Speedwell, American Speedwell, Blue Water Speedwell, Breckland Speedwell, Brooklime, Common Field Speedwell, Common Toadflax, Fingered Speedwell, French Speedwell, Garden Speedwell, Germander Speedwell, Heath Speedwell, Ivy-leaved Speedwell, Ivy-leaved Toadflax, Malling Toadflax, Pale Toadflax, Pink Water Speedwell, Prostrate Toadflax, Purple Toadflax, Round-leaved Fluellen, Sand Toadflax, Sharp-leaved Fluellen, Small Toadflax, Snapdragon, Spiked Speedwell, Spring Speedwell, Thyme-leaved Speedwell, Wall Speedwell, Wood Speedwell
Type:
Flower
Life Cycle:
Perennial
Maximum Size:
15 centimetres tall
Habitats:
Gardens, mountains, rocky places.

Flower:
֍
Blue, 4 petals
 
Long-stalked, bright blue flowers with a red eye. The flowers are larger than most speedwells at 10 to 15mm in diameter. 2 stamens.
Fruit:
The fruits are elliptical and have long styles. They are flattish with a notched tip. About 7mm long.
Leaves:
A low perennial with a woody base. The leaves are in opposite pairs and are almost stalkless. They are pointed oval and scarcely toothed.
Other Names:
Blue Spikes, Blue Veronica.
Frequency (UK):
Rarely seen  

Other Information

Summary

Veronica fruticans, commonly known as "blue veronica" or "blue spikes," is a species of flowering plant in the Plantaginaceae family. It is native to Europe and Asia, but has been introduced to other regions as an ornamental plant. It typically grows to be about 15 cm tall and has blue or purple spikes of flowers that bloom in the summer. It prefers moist, well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. It is often used as a border plant or in rock gardens.

Blog

Rock Speedwell, also known as Veronica fruticans, is a low-growing, perennial herb native to Europe and Asia. It is a popular plant in rock gardens and other dry, sunny areas because of its ability to thrive in poor soil and its attractive blue flowers.

Description and Habitat

Rock Speedwell grows to a height of 3-6 inches (8-15 cm) and spreads out to form a dense mat of foliage. The leaves are small, narrow, and oblong in shape, and are arranged in opposite pairs along the stems. They are a pale green color and have a slightly waxy texture.

The flowers of Rock Speedwell are a vibrant blue color, and they appear in late spring or early summer. Each flower has four petals that form a small tube, which is about 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) long. The flowers are arranged in clusters at the top of the stems.

Rock Speedwell is typically found in dry, rocky habitats, such as rock gardens, rock outcroppings, and open woodlands. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun, but it can also tolerate some shade.

Cultivation

Rock Speedwell is easy to grow from seed or from divisions of mature plants. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun, but it can also tolerate some shade. The plants should be spaced about 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) apart to allow room for their spread.

Once established, Rock Speedwell requires little care. It is drought-tolerant and does not require regular watering. However, it can benefit from occasional fertilization and pruning to encourage more dense growth and to remove any dead or damaged stems.

Uses

Rock Speedwell is primarily grown for its attractive blue flowers and its ability to thrive in poor soil and dry conditions. It is often used in rock gardens, along borders, or in other sunny areas where other plants may struggle to grow.

In addition to its ornamental value, Rock Speedwell has also been used in traditional medicine for a variety of ailments, including digestive issues and respiratory problems. However, more research is needed to confirm these uses and to determine the safety and efficacy of Rock Speedwell as a medicinal herb.

Rock Speedwell, with its attractive blue flowers and ability to thrive in poor soil and dry conditions, is a popular plant in rock gardens and other sunny areas. Its small size and dense growth make it a great choice for borders and edging, and its hardiness and ease of cultivation make it an ideal plant for beginners. While its medicinal uses are not fully confirmed, it remains an interesting subject for further study.

More Information

Rock Speedwell is a valuable plant for pollinators, as its flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. These insects visit the flowers for nectar and pollen, which they use as food, and in the process, they help to pollinate the plant. This makes Rock Speedwell an important component of a healthy garden ecosystem.

One of the interesting features of Rock Speedwell is that it is able to spread vegetatively through rooting stems, as well as by seed. This makes it a useful plant for stabilizing slopes and preventing erosion, as it can quickly form a dense mat of foliage that helps to hold the soil in place.

Rock Speedwell is a member of the Veronica genus, which includes many other species of low-growing perennials that are also well-suited to rock gardens and other dry, sunny areas. Some popular Veronica species include:

  • Veronica spicata: A tall-growing Veronica with pink or purple flower spikes that bloom in summer.
  • Veronica prostrata: A low-growing Veronica with blue flowers that bloom in spring.
  • Veronica longifolia: A tall-growing Veronica with spires of blue or white flowers that bloom in mid-summer.

In conclusion, Rock Speedwell is a beautiful, hardy plant that is well-suited to a variety of garden settings. Its ability to thrive in poor soil and dry conditions, as well as its ornamental value and benefits to pollinators, make it a valuable addition to any garden.

Tips for Growing Rock Speedwell in your Garden

While Rock Speedwell is generally considered to be a low-maintenance plant, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure that it thrives in your garden. Here are some tips for growing Rock Speedwell:

  1. Choose the right location: Rock Speedwell prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Choose a location that gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day and that has soil that drains well. If your soil is heavy and clayey, amend it with organic matter, such as compost or well-rotted manure, to improve drainage.

  2. Water appropriately: Once established, Rock Speedwell is fairly drought-tolerant and does not require regular watering. However, if you experience a prolonged period of hot, dry weather, you may need to water the plants to keep them from wilting. When you do water, give the plants a deep soak rather than frequent shallow watering, as this will encourage deeper root growth.

  3. Fertilize sparingly: Rock Speedwell does not require much fertilizer, but a light application of a balanced fertilizer in early spring can help to encourage more vigorous growth and flowering.

  4. Prune as needed: Rock Speedwell does not require much pruning, but you may want to remove any dead or damaged stems to keep the plants looking neat and tidy. You can also prune back the stems after flowering to encourage more compact growth.

  5. Divide regularly: Rock Speedwell can become crowded over time, which can lead to poor growth and flowering. To keep the plants healthy and vigorous, divide them every 2-3 years in early spring or fall. Dig up the clumps and separate them into smaller sections, then replant them in fresh soil.

In addition to these tips, it's always a good idea to keep an eye out for pests and diseases, which can affect the health and appearance of your plants. If you notice any signs of trouble, such as yellowing leaves or wilted stems, consult a gardening expert or a plant disease specialist for advice on how to treat the problem.

Distribution Map

Reproduced by kind permission of the BSBI.

Click to open an Interactive Map