Veronica longifolia aka Garden Speedwell

Veronica longifolia, or garden speedwell, is a herbaceous perennial. It belongs to the plantain family, Plantaginaceae. Its native range stretches from Europe to North Korea. It grows in temperate parts of this broad range. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. The name Pseudolysimachion longifolium also refers to this plant. Wild habitats include steppes, grassy mountain slopes and woodland-edge meadows. It also grows in birch woods in northwest China.

This upright plant forms clumps and loses its leaves seasonally. RHS gives a garden height range of 3.3–4.9 feet (1–1.5 metres). Its shorter account describes plants reaching about 3.9 feet (1.2 metres). Clumps spread about 0.3–1.6 feet (0.1–0.5 metres) across. Plants take two to five years to reach full size. Narrow leaves grow in pairs or groups of three. These groups sit at points along the stems. Dense spikes hold many small, tube-shaped, purplish-blue flowers. These bloom in late summer and early autumn. PFAF also lists blue, pink, purple and white flower colours.

Grow it in loam with a moderate level of fertility. Keep the soil moist, but let excess water drain away. RHS lists acid, neutral and alkaline soils as suitable. Choose full sun or partial shade in a sheltered spot. South-, west- and east-facing sites can all suit it. Its RHS hardiness rating is H7. This covers the coldest European continental climates, below −4°F (−20°C). Divide clumps in spring or autumn to make more plants. Cut the stems down when flowering has ended.

Garden speedwell suits beds and borders in informal gardens. RHS also recommends it for cottage and wildlife gardens. Its upright shape adds height without a broad spread. The late flowers bring colour toward the end of summer. Watch for aphids on the plants. Downy mildew and fungal leaf spot can also occur. Other listed risks include fungal rot and Phytophthora. Honey fungus may sometimes affect it too.

PFAF lists the leaves and young shoots as edible. They can be eaten raw or cooked. However, it describes them as food for times of famine. It gives edibility only one point out of five. PFAF reports no known hazards, rather than proving universal safety. It lists no known medicinal uses or other uses.