Veronica Siberian herbaceous plants for open ground. Veronica spiky, planting and care. Veronica outdoor care

In eronicas - magnificent universal plants, ranked among the best herbaceous perennials from among partners. They are equally beautiful and green, and flowering. Being both the main competitor and a good companion for sage and catnip, a true decoration of rocky gardens, veronica conquers with a combination of high decorativeness with endurance and undemanding care. This plant fits perfectly into a garden of any style and composition of any size.

Perennial veronicas - hardy generalists

Veronicas are not large, but prominent garden perennials. Among them there are both turf forms and carpet plants. But all veronicas are characterized by equally attractive greenery and flowering. About what the name Veronica means, disputes are still ongoing. Some botanists associate the Latin name with Saint Veronica, others with medicinal properties Veronica vulgaris and is translated as "real medicine". But be that as it may, veronicas are unique cultures in all their talents. ▲

Veronicas are herbaceous perennials and subshrubs that form dense clumps or cushion-like rugs with numerous straight or outstretched shoots. The root system is powerful, fibrous. Simple or pinnate, rounded or lanceolate leaves are always sessile, collected in whorls or arranged in pairs and alternately on shoots, creating a dense cushion of greenery. But their size can be large, up to 10 cm, and almost needle-shaped. As a rule, very bright shades of dark green color are characteristic of veronicas. Veronica flowering is typical for partner soddy perennials. Spikelets or narrow racemes of inflorescences bloom on the tops of the main and side shoots. The flowers are small, consist of free corolla petals at the top and fused at the bottom. At different types veronica, the fold of the corolla can be both wheel-shaped and two-lipped. Despite its small size, not only bright spot in the center of the pharynx, but also a pistil with an elongated style, and only 2 stamens. After flowering ▲ two-celled fruit boxes are tied, hiding very small seeds.

The flowering period of veronicas falls on a fairly long period from May to the end of summer. Most species bloom just at the beginning of summer, as if bringing islands of coolness in the first hot days.

The color range of perennial veronica is limited to cold shades of the spectrum. The plant is valued as one of the most beautiful blue and purple-colored crops, but snow-white, pink, and blue colors are also found in Veronica.

Growing and planting conditions

It is difficult to find a perennial more undemanding than garden speedwell, planting and caring for which is not difficult. The only thing that the plant makes at least some strict requirements for is the intensity of lighting. Without exception, Veronica perennials are light-loving crops. And the place for them needs to be selected only sunny and diffusely light.

But in everything that concerns the soil, garden veronica is unpretentious. This plant grows well in the usual "medium" garden soil- processed and rather loose. Veronica gentian prefers moist soil, but Veronica spikelet, Austrian and other carpet species are content with any, even the most meager stony soil. Only veronica spikelet is sensitive to the reaction of the soil, which grows only in stony calcareous soils. High soil fertility is undesirable, average indicators are sufficient, but veronica grows quite successfully on poor soil.

Planting Veronica for many years will not cause difficulties. The plant is planted in individual pits, in arrays - in grooves, setting it while maintaining the same growth depth or a little deeper and watering abundantly after filling the planting pits with soil. Immediately after planting, it is advisable to mulch the plants.

Wintering Veronica

Without exception, all perennial veronicas are crops with high frost resistance and do not need to be prepared for winter, and even more so in shelter even in the first year after planting. Only in rock gardens on a hill in windy places is a light preventive shelter useful in case of snowless winters.

Reproduction of Veronica

Veronica perennial is an easy-to-breed culture, the planting material of which is quite easy to obtain. You can propagate this perennial:
- division of bushes in early spring, at the stage of leaf unfolding or in August (bushes can be cut into both large and small divisions with at least 3 shoots, completely cutting off the aerial part before digging and separating plants with stumps);
- by cuttings (for rooting under a cap, the tops of young shoots that grow after pruning are cut);
- seeds (sowing seeds is carried out on seedling beds in the fall, plants will bloom only in the second year).

Types and varieties of Veronica

The genus Veronica unites about three hundred plant species that are found in almost all the globe, but favorite perennial species that are used in landscape design, came to us from the Mediterranean and Europe.

As ornamental plants grow a little less than two dozen perennial veronica.

Widespread types:

(Veronica chamaedrys) is a very beautiful perennial plant that grows rapidly thanks to creeping roots. The stems are ascending, from 10 to 40 cm in height, the leaves are ovate, with a beautiful jagged edge and velvety pubescence, making the intense green color even brighter. Loose racemes of inflorescences consist of large, blue or blue flowers. Blooms in May-June.

Veronica spiky or spike(Veronica spicata) - a symbol of the whole genus and one of the most beautiful turf garden perennials. Dense bushes up to 40 cm high conquer with rather large, lanceolate or rounded leaves. The shoots are strong, crowned with thick brushes of inflorescences up to 10 cm long. The bright blue color contrasts perfectly with the muted velvety greens. There are varieties with purple, lilac, pink and white color. Flowering of Veronica spikelet lasts up to 45 days and starts in June. Examples of varieties: Heideking, Barcarolla, Unique Baby (a series of varieties), Iceicle.

(Veronica filiformis) is the most famous and underestimated of the ground cover speedwells. At a height of up to 5 cm, this perennial is distinguished by a delicate light green color of small rounded leaves and the thinnest long shoots that form green lace on the soil. Flowers solitary, on long pedicels, blue and thinly veined or blue-white. This veronica blooms early, as early as April, but is able to bloom until the beginning of summer. This species is often considered a weed, but when controlled, it can create stunning carpets.

(Veronica longifolia) - widely used by landscapers, usually in a group planting. In the nature of Russia is widespread. Settles in damp places, mainly in forests. The area includes many countries of Europe, Asia, the Caucasus. The stems reach one and a half meters or lower. The leaves are collected in 3-4, arranged alternately, elongated, lanceolate, up to 15 cm. The inflorescence-brush can consist of several hundred 3-4 millimeter flowers, its total length reaches a quarter of a meter. Veronica longifolia is also known as medicinal plant and is used by folk and Tibetan healers. Has a lot ornamental varieties, for example, Royal Pink, Evelyn, Blaurizin, Schneerizin, Antarctica, Plamoza (a series of varieties).

Also in the design of the garden use these types of perennial veronica:

Veronica branched, or bushy,(Veronica fruticans) - very beautiful ground cover, develops in the form of a pillow of low creeping shoots and leathery lanceolate leaves. The flowers sit in racemes on very long pedicels, conquer either bright blue or pink with purple streaks. Flowering begins in June.

(Veronica austriaca) - a tall and very showy species that forms dense clump bushes from 30 to 70 cm high. Upright shoots are hidden under bright, pinnate-lanceolate leaves. The flowers almost hide the shrub under them from May to July. Asymmetrical flowers with a dazzling bright blue-lilac color sit in 2-4 pieces. in the lateral brushes, together creating a kind of cloud.

(Veronica gentianoides) - one of the most powerful and spectacular species for flower beds and flower beds. At a height of up to half a meter, the bushes still resemble pillows. Leaves in dense basal rosettes are replaced by a slightly leafy crown. The inflorescences are tall, spike-shaped, loose, of blue, pale, decorated with bright dark blue veins. Flowering Veronica gentian lasts up to 3 weeks in June.

(Veronica stelleri) is a medium-sized but beautiful species up to 25 cm high, forming lacy hemispheres of curtains. The leaves are dark, densely arranged, the inflorescences are loose heads that seem to hover over a curly bush and form a haze of dark purple or white color.

Veronica thyme(Veronica serpyllifolia) - also a medium-sized, surprisingly wild-looking perennial up to 25 cm high with greenery resembling thyme and delicate watercolor flowers, the veins on which can be viewed endlessly.

(Veronica surculosa) is a miniature, cushion-forming species with greyish fringes and mauve flowers, forming curly dense mats and blooming relentlessly from May to July.

(Veronica peduncularis) - a profusely flowering carpet species that forms a dense lacy turf and fully reveals beauty only when grown on elevations, like a semi-ampel hanging from boulders or walls, with saturated small leaves and bright blue-ultramarine flowers with a white eye. This species blooms in early May.

(Veronica armena) is a very dense, dense densely sod perennial with recumbent or ascending, thin, gradually woody rough shoots up to 10 cm long, forming a thick cushion. Pinnately dissected leaves with needle-shaped lobes change color from dark to bluish green. Very fragrant inflorescences-brushes bloom in the middle of the rally, consist of blue or lilac flowers, few-flowered, glow on the surface of the carpet.

Veronica Caucasian(Veronica caucasica) - a similar carpet species up to 20 cm high with pinnately dissected needle-like foliage and small tassels of inflorescences on filiform peduncles with lanceolate petals and a blue color with lilac stripes. This veronica blooms in early summer.

(Veronica prostrata) is a beautiful gray-green carpet perennial with shoots capable of rooting at the nodes, lanceolate leaves and dense racemes of purple flowers, under which greenery is often not visible.

In the design of reservoirs, two more types of veronica are used - veronica key(Veronica anagallis-aquatica), a creeping plant with lanceolate leaves and loose racemes of numerous pale blue flowers, and Veronica entrusted, or flow,(Veronica beccabunga) - a species with fleshy large leaves and charming brushes of inflorescences.

Use in garden design

Representatives perennial species The genus Veronica is not accidentally called one of the most versatile perennials. Veronicas, whose species differ in size, but not in their ability to grow, are valued primarily as crops that can fill gaps and clearings, form continuous plantings in decorative compositions.

Low species, in particular, oak veronica in the garden, offer not only to admire the beauty of textures and flowering, but also to use universal perennials to create a stunningly beautiful and dense cover. Veronica can be used both in the foreground of flower beds and between solo plants as a universal filler. There is a place for veronicas in flower beds, and in discounts, and in landscape groups, and in arrays or spots of various sizes.

Most veronicas are indispensable sustainable perennials for decorating rocky gardens - from ordinary alpine hills to retaining walls and terraces, landscaping slopes, decorating rockeries. Veronica's greenery perfectly emphasizes the beauty of scree, gravel, and large boulders.

These perennials are also suitable as a masker, hiding communications and unsightly places in the garden, and for decorating the edge of a lawn or flower beds. Veronicas are also used in borders, subject to mandatory pruning to control growth. It is difficult to imagine a plant that would look better at stairs and multi-level transitions.

Certain types of perennial veronica - brook or gentian - are used to decorate reservoirs near the coastline.

It is very easy to pick up partners for Veronica Sadovaya. Perennial veronicas go well with bluebells, cornflowers, primroses, garden geraniums, catnip, sage, milkweed, gravel, saxifrage, stonecrop, all kinds of carnations. They perfectly reveal the beauty of roses and other flowering shrubs.

Veronicastrum is a plant of the plantain family, which is actively used in landscape design. Its interesting flowering revives and transforms even the most neglected and shady corners wild gardens.

Botanical description

This is a perennial herbaceous plant, which reaches an average height of 130 cm. The rhizome goes deep into the ground and becomes woody over time. The leaves are lanceolate and collected in the form of a palm tree.

The inflorescence has the form of a panicle, reaches up to 15 cm in length. It consists of many small flowers white, lilac or pink shades, it depends on the variety of the flower. blooms in summer period from mid-June to the end of August.

Popular types of herbaceous plant

landscape designers loved a few of the most bright varieties with the most beautiful flowers. They fit very harmoniously into a single style with, and landscape varieties large ones, such as lightning, etc. These popular varieties of veronicastrum are:

Upright growing plant, up to 1.3 m in height. Blooms for over 1 month. The shade of the inflorescence is creamy pink. Retains a captivating appearance during and after flowering. It looks impressive both singly planted and planted in groups of specimens.

Did you know? In different sources, Veronica is sometimes referred to the norichnikov family, then to the plantain family. Botanical news for 2016 reports that Veronica and Veronicastrum have finally been identified in the plantain family.

AT variety "Posea" clear advantages are plant height up to 1.6-1.7 m, this is the highest representative of the family, well, very gentle pink shade flowers.

A low plant that blooms with a beautiful white color. The length of the inflorescence can reach up to 20 cm. Popular with landscapers for decorating accents in general. design decision. Attracts insects, especially butterflies. The plant is frost-resistant and unpretentious to the soil.
Sort "Alba"

Did you know? Systematics have long wanted to identify Veronica and Veronicastrum as a separate genus. They are united only by the types and colors of inflorescences. And the most significant difference-growth. Delicate veronica does not correlate in any way with the giant veronicastrum, which by the time of flowering can reach 2-2.5 meters in height.

tall grade "Fascination" gains up to one and a half meters. But it differs in lavender color of the inflorescence with a creamy sheen color pink. As well as a reddish tint of the leaf plate, which looks especially attractive in plant design. But gardeners call the Siberian and Virginian veronicastrum the most common varieties.

This type of plant grows up to 1.8 m. It has a strong stem without branching. Floor arrangement of leaves. Blooms with spiky inflorescences of blue color which can reach up to 30 cm in length. Can be placed in both sun and shade.

A distinctive feature of this type is that it is not susceptible to disease. It is revered by insects and pollinators. It takes a little longer desired parameters, it will be necessary to wait a bit, but another plus is that it is unpretentious in care and soil. And one more “bonus” plus sign - even after the plant has faded, the spikelet can not be cut off, it looks pretty even in the “pigtail”.

It reaches a height of up to one and a half meters. The color depends on the variety, the height of the inflorescence is up to 30 cm. The leaves are located along the entire stem. Has a strong root system.

Did you know? The uniqueness of the variety« Fascination» in that its inflorescences grow together into one, this phenomenon is called fasciation. In principle, this is where the name of this variety came from. At the exit, the spikelet is uneven, curved, with a jagged edge of a pleasant lilac color - it looks very impressive and exotic.

The plant is resistant to low temperatures, does not require special preparation for wintering. The stem is branched. It is recommended to plant only in places with free access to natural light, because without it the stem develops weaker. Also very resistant to different kind diseases and pests.

Application in landscape design

Veronica is a perennial plant with a strong root system. It is frost-resistant, blooms beautifully. To prepare for winter, you just need to cut and prepare the soil by mulching. It is able to withstand the competition of proliferating plants used in landscape design.

Different varieties easily tolerate both excess moisture and its lack. It grows in columns, but the stem is quite resistant to gusts of wind. Does not require support and garters. Its inflorescences-spikelets have very beautiful natural shades and smell pleasant, always attracting great amount a variety of insects.

Veronicastrum looks favorably in tandem with roses, cereals, lavender, phlox. Moreover, perennials are combined with annuals, and this is another marker that the composition of your garden is not old-fashioned.

Landing and care at home

The plant is popular because it reproduces well and easily and does not require daily care in the garden. The site for planting is chosen depending on the variety: either penumbra or open to solar lighting. Veronica loves mineral dressing, but you should not abuse it. Three times a season is enough.

Location selection

Despite the fact that the plant is unpretentious, there are several nuances that should be considered when planting:

• It is desirable to plant in loose soil, it is not bad to fertilize with peat beforehand - the plant loves fertile soil.
• It is advisable to choose sunny places.
• To prevent strong drops in soil moisture, you can mulch it with mowed grass, sawdust, needles or straw.
• Preparing for winter: cutting and mulching the soil.

Soil and top dressing

An overabundance of such a favorite mineral dressing can lead to the fact that the stem becomes thinner and brittle, less resistant to external factors. It can also affect the intensity of flowering. Therefore, it is better to carry out the first top dressing before disembarking, and then - as needed.

Important!In heavy rainfall, the plant can be strongly bent under the weight of wet inflorescences, foliage, etc. It is necessary to raise the bushes and strengthen them on supports, within a few days they will rise again to their former formation.

Humidity and watering

The plant quite normally tolerates both an excess of moisture and a lack. In order to maintain balance, it is worth applying the mulching method that we talked about above.

reproduction

The easiest and most convenient method of propagation is cuttings and dividing the bush. The bush tolerates these operations very easily, takes root very quickly in a new hole and blooms in the third year. The best time is early spring or late fall. During flowering, the plant does not propagate.

By dividing the bush

If the bush needs to be transported, then the rhizome with well-watered soil is packed in cellophane and transported to a new location.

The breeding process itself goes like this:

• the soil under the plant is well filled with water;
• extract the root system and divide into parts;
• depending on the age of the source bush, its rhizome may be stiff, so an ax may be needed to separate it;
• in each part they keep a live shoot of the stem;
• landing in the ground should be carried out as soon as possible.

cuttings

This method is carried out only in the spring, since the planted cuttings must be strengthened in the soil:

• soil preparation is required: loosening, peat, organic matter;
• chopped cuttings can be immediately planted in prepared holes, or you can pre-hold in water until roots appear;
• after landing on permanent place by winter, we mulch the soil in the root zone.

seeds

Reproduction by seeds is also logical to carry out only in the spring. For seedlings prepare a special soil with maximum fertility.

Let's talk about Veronica. These seemingly simple, but at the same time very beautiful and cute. I especially like them for their unusual blue color - after all, not so many flowers in our gardens have shades.

Getting to know each other better

Why is the plant so named? Perhaps in honor of a saint named Veronica, and scientists suggest that the name was formed from the Latin "vera unica", which means "real medicine" (after all, it has properties). Whatever it was, you need to pronounce this word with an emphasis on the second syllable.

The genus Veronica is large - almost 300 species, is part of the Plantain family, whose representatives are found in all parts of the world, but most of them are in Europe and Asia; many species grow in the Mediterranean. There are also many speedwells in our country - about 150 species, many of them grow in the Caucasus and in the European part of Russia, some species are found in Central Asia. You can meet Veronica at the edge of the forest, among the meadow vegetation. Some species prefer mountainous terrain.

Basically all veronicas - herbaceous plants, but there are also semi-shrubs. Most often perennial, but there are also annuals. They look different: high, low and even creeping, the leaves are usually simple, often arranged oppositely, but there is also another arrangement.

Veronicas have a common flower structure: usually medium-sized, the lower petals grow together and form a tube, the upper petals are not fused, two stamens and a long pistil. Inflorescences in the form of spikelets or brushes.

And, of course, color: almost all veronicas are different different shades blue and blue, and only occasionally pink or white.

Various veronicas

And now let's get acquainted with those types of Veronica, which are mainly grown to decorate the garden.

Veronica spikelet

View Veronica spiky(Veronica spicata) is quite widespread: it lives in Western Europe and the Mediterranean, in our country it grows in the European part, and in Siberia, Central Asia, and the Caucasus.

The plant is low (up to 40 cm), shoots are few. The leaves are oval-oblong: the lower ones have petioles, and the upper ones are sessile. At the tops of the stems, dense inflorescences are formed in the form of brushes up to 10-12 cm long. Flowers can be blue or pink, purple or white. Flowering begins in June and lasts about 40 days.

Many varieties have been bred, differing mainly in the color of the flowers:

• "Icicle" ("White Icicle") - white flowers;
• "Barcarolle" - pink flowers;
• "Blue Peter" - blue flowers;
• "Blue Carpet" - bright blue flowers, undersized shrub;
• "Red Fox" - dark pink flowers;
• "Romiley Purple" - dark purple flowers;
• "Heidekind" - pink-crimson flowers.

(Veronica filiformis) originally from Europe . There it grows in mountain meadows, forming continuous green carpets.

It is an evergreen creeping perennial. Very thin shoots quickly scatter in different directions, roots appear on them, cling to the ground, take root - and grow, run further, in breadth, in all directions. A beautiful green rug is formed with small round leaves. In spring, it is covered with small pale blue flowers that rise above the greenery and seem to float in the air - veronica blooms. Beauty is extraordinary! This species feels especially good in partial shade on poor soils.

True, problems sometimes happen with this Veronica: it happened that almost all of it just fell out for me, only individual bushes remained. Knowing this peculiarity of her, I planted her in different places where it doesn't really bother me. It happens that in one place the plant constantly dies, and in another it grows well. That's how it is creeping veronica Drops in one place, saves in another.

I like her very much, and therefore, despite her slightly capricious disposition, I keep her in my garden. It is also suitable for, as it is quite drought-resistant, although it is moisture-loving. From it you can create magnificent carpet arrays or plant under or.

Widespread type - veronica big(Veronica teucrium). In our country, it is found in the European part and in Western Siberia, as well as in the Caucasus, Central Asia, and the Mediterranean. It has creeping rhizomes located superficially. Many straight stems grow from them, from 30 to 70 cm high. Oblong, serrated leaves along the edge sit oppositely. Bright blue flowers are in racemose inflorescences.

It blooms profusely in spring, at which time the bush looks very beautiful. But gradually the shoots begin to lie away from the center, the bush seems to fall apart. Therefore, it is advisable to tie it up at the very beginning of flowering. After flowering, I usually cut off the shoots, and then they grow back.

Veronica big is very unpretentious, but loves the sun. Winter-hardy, undemanding to the soil. Varieties bred with different height bush:

• "True Blue" - bushes up to 60 cm tall, with blue flowers;
• "Schirly Blue" - bushes up to 50 cm tall, dark blue flowers.

Veronica gray-haired

Also widespread veronica gray-haired(Veronica incana): in the European part of Russia, in Siberia, in Western Europe, on Far East, in Japan and Korea. This species, 40 cm high, first has a spreading shape, and after flowering it turns into a compact cushion, which is decorated with wide white-felt leaves.

Blooms from the end of July for 35 days very bright blue flowers. The plant is unpretentious, winters without, suitable for rocky gardens.

Veronica gentian

Veronica gentian(Veronica gentianoides) is widespread in the south of the European part of Russia, in the Crimea, the Caucasus and Asia Minor. Accordingly, it is more thermophilic species. The plant forms pillow-shaped rounded bushes no more than 45 cm tall. Pale blue flowers are collected in loose spikelets up to 30-70 cm high. It blooms from the end of May for two to three weeks.

This Veronica is already beautiful, but it also has varieties. "Nana" is a dwarf variety; the height of the pillow is not more than 10 cm, the peduncle is 20-30 cm. This variety also has a form variegata with white-edged leaves, and the border in spring has a pink color.

Mountain dweller of the Black Sea - Veronica peduncle(Veronica peduncularis). It rises from the warm seaside valleys to the mountains, where it grows on rocky screes. Semi-ampel perennial plant, forms low sods. It blooms with bright blue-blue flowers.

Used in landscaping rockeries and rock gardens, has a cultivar "Georgia Blue". This variety has very fragrant flowers, the plant itself is drought-resistant and unpretentious in culture.

Veronica Armenian

Veronica Armenian(Veronica Armena) came to us from Asia Minor. It is too alpine plant, has short stems - thin and woody, pubescent, very numerous. This veronica forms a dense turf with dissected beautiful leaves. Blooms pale blue or lilac flowers from the end of June. fragrant plant, drought-resistant and very unpretentious. The substrate prefers rocky, with the addition of clay. In rockeries and on an alpine hill, it is the place for it.

It's just small review some of the most popular veronica species used in horticulture.

You can choose seeds or seedlings of Veronica in our catalog, which combines the offers of large online garden stores. .

Plant in your garden - any of them will be a wonderful decoration for your site.

poor, fertile, medium fertility, drained, waterlogged, sandy, loamy, clayey

soil moisture

humid, moderately humid, dry

Lifespan

illumination

straight Sun rays, penumbra

reproduction

cuttings, seeds, division

Landing time

Spring Summer Autumn

portrait of veronica

Genus Veronica (Veronica, stress on the second syllable) belongs to the family Norichnikovye (Scrophulariaceae) and includes about 300 species of annual, biennial and perennial herbs or shrubs. Speedwells grow all over the globe, but are more common in the temperate and cold regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The origin of the genus name is still disputed. Some believe that the plant is named after Saint Veronica. Others - that the name comes from Latin words"vera unica" - "real medicine" (Veronica has long been used in medicine). most speedwells are fibrous, in some species it is represented by a rhizome, located close to the soil surface. Some species have. The stems are straight or prostrate on the ground, most often covered with whole sessile leaves arranged in the next order either opposite or whorled. The corolla is medium-sized, of four petals of white, blue, deep blue, purple, less often pink. Flowers are usually collected in lateral or apical spicate or racemose inflorescences, rarely solitary. In the lower part, the petals grow together, forming a tube. The upper part remains free, forming a limb. The fruit is a capsule bearing small seeds.

The genus is very large and diverse, so some botanists attribute certain types of veronica to genera Veronicastrum (Veronicastrum) and Veronichnik (Pseudolysimachion). The differences between them are very relative. Veronicastrum - herbaceous perennials with high (up to 1.5 m) stems that are not prone to falling apart. They are covered with lanceolate leaves (3-9 pieces per whorl) and crowned with large spicate inflorescences. At present, representatives of the genus Veronicastrum belong to the genus thin stamen (Leptandra). Veronichniki - herbaceous perennials with lanceolate leaves, dense inflorescences. The petals grow together in the lower part by at least a third, forming a rather long tube. The fruit is slightly flattened laterally. Other representatives of the genus Veronica used in floriculture are also herbaceous perennials.

Planting Veronica

undersized species speedwells growing in the mountains are drought-resistant, undemanding to the soil and photophilous. Only one of them - Veronica spikelet - Capable of withstanding waterlogging. Tall speedwells usually prefer fertile, tolerate partial shade and are moisture-loving, but many of them are able to tolerate drought. Some veronica - gentian, prostrate, officinalis - put up with shading. Veronica gray-haired loses its silver tint in the shade, and veronica branchy does not tolerate overheating, therefore the best place her landing will be a plot in partial shade. unpretentious creeping veronica and speedwell filiform successfully develop both, and in the sun, but are most spectacular in the shade, for example,.

Moisture-loving differ veronicastrum and Veronica grandiflora . Veronica petty need fresh soil with regular moisture. Veronica large, gentian, prostrate, filiform moisture-loving, but endure drought. The latter quickly forms precisely in a wet area. Veronica's handrail and key planted either or in a container immersed in water to a depth of 10 cm. They are unpretentious, but need clean water.

Veronicas do not impose special requirements on soil fertility. They prefer calcareous, non-acidic, loose, drained loams or. But veronicastrum it is better to plant on rich fertile loams. Mountain veronica - Armenian, spikelet, gravelly, small, Schmidt, large-flowered - grow and develop better when crushed stone and sand are introduced into the soil.

Growing Veronica

Veronica spikelet, large, Sakhalin prone to falling apart, they should. Veronica creeping, filiform, key, handrail , their growth is limited if necessary. After flowering, the height of the aerial part is greatly reduced, which is especially noticeable in tall Veronica austrian, gentian, spikelet . Low-growing species are stably decorative: after pruning faded inflorescences, new shoots grow. In autumn, it is advisable to mulch the plants with neutral or humus to cover the root system located close to the soil surface. Veronica is winter-hardy without shelter, the loss of plants after winter is associated with waterlogging of the soil, so it is important to take care of the drainage of the site. Only veronica branched and woody need preventive care.

Reproduction of Veronica

Veronica is propagated most often by dividing the bush. superficial root system makes this operation painless and easy. Divided in late April - early May, when the leaves begin to appear, or in September, after flowering. Delenki are rooted in a loose substrate (neutral peat and sand, perlite). If the delenki are large, with a well-developed root system, you can immediately plant them in a flower garden. Planting distance depends on the size of the plant. For large ones (about 1 m high) it is 40-50 cm (5-7 pieces per 1 sq.m), for medium ones (30-60 cm high) - 30-40 cm (7-9 pieces per sq.m.). m), for small ones (up to 20 cm tall) - 20-30 cm (16-20 pieces per 1 sq.m).

Green cuttings are propagated less frequently. In June-July, cuttings about 10 cm long are harvested, cutting off the tops of the shoots and removing the inflorescences. They are rooted in perlite or a mixture of peat and sand (1: 1).

And filiform - wonderful. They are used as an alternative to the lawn where its installation is problematic, for example, in orchard. This coating does not require mowing and is resistant to trampling. It is noticed that Veronica improves the structure of the soil, making it looser.

Pests and diseases of Veronica

Veronica is rarely damaged by diseases and pests. But in the wrong place or in a cool rainy summer, it becomes prone to powdery mildew, spotting, rust. When diseases appear, plants are treated with fungicides (for example, Fundazol). In autumn, plant residues must be destroyed. Of the pests, nematodes and aphids are the most harmful. To use insecticides (Aktara, Tanrek), for the destruction of nematodes - nematocides (Fenamiphos, Aldicarb).

Veronicas are unpretentious in care, do not need top dressing. Watering is necessary only for moisture-loving species.

Veronica is an unpretentious plant that does not require much physical effort for its cultivation. Flower growers grow it as a decoration flower beds, as well as in medicinal purposes. There are more than 500 species for decorative floriculture. This plant can be an annual, perennial, and even eat shrub species. With favorable weather conditions and proper care blooms from early to late summer. At the same time, the plant is not at all afraid of trampling, and if this happens, the stems and leaves quickly straighten.

Veronika belongs to the Podorozhnikov class, but is completely unlike her representative. But it has signs of nettle and bluebell.

There are three main ways to grow a flower. This is seeds, we divide the bush or prepare cuttings.

Seeds are prepared and sown if it is necessary to grow a healthy varietal bush. Sowing is carried out in the fall directly into the ground or in the spring we prepare seedlings for planting in the ground. If the seedlings have sprouted too densely, it is necessary to thin out, leaving a distance of 20-50 cm between the bushes. For tall species, we create even larger gaps of 50-80 cm.

Before planting the plants, the seedlings are hardened by spending a long time on the street or on the balcony.

The fastest and most convenient way of reproduction can be considered the division of the bush. To do this, cut off a few sprouts with a knife or a shovel and plant them in a new place. The distance between plants of high varieties is 50 cm, lower ones 40 cm and 30 cm for small ones. It is better to do this in early spring and then the flower will please with its flowering in the same year. You can do everything in the fall, but after the flowering of Veronica.

When propagated by cuttings, shoots up to 10 cm are cut and placed in water for germination. Greenhouse conditions are also created by covering the cuttings with jars or cut plastic bottles with the hole up. After the roots appear, they are planted in the ground. It is better to do this in August, so that the stalk is strengthened in the ground and can already bloom next season.

Of course, both cuttings and ready-made sprouts separated from the bush, as well as seedlings, all require watering after planting.

Varieties of planting material and popular varieties

Veronica's huge variety of species has made it popular in landscape design. These are Allioni, Alpine, Armenian, Austrian. It is ground cover, tall, evergreen. Flowers can be white, blue, purple. To choose the right plant for your flower garden, you need to determine the conditions of the site.

If Veronica is purchased for a rock garden or rockery, then a short variety is well suited, and tall species are perfect for mixborders. One of popular varieties is Veronica Bolshaya. It grows 50-70 cm in height. It blooms in mid-summer with fluffy inflorescences. Veronica spikelet flowers shaped like candles. Their height does not exceed 30 cm. It is also worth noting such varieties as:

• medicinal,
• branched,
• dubravnaya,
• Small.

By color scheme almost all of them are blue. New hybrid varieties there are white and bright purple inflorescences.

Landing and care

This flower belongs to the unpretentious type, but moderate watering will not harm it. Especially in dry spring before flowering. Watering is recommended to be done with warm settled water. Excess moisture can lead to the death of the plant.

Herbaceous sprawling species do not tolerate drought, stop blooming and may die. Tall varieties tolerate heat easily. Veronica gray-haired survives if it loses most of the moisture. The most resistant to drought is small-fruited. Filamentous, gentian, prostrate speedwells love damp soil, but they also tolerate dry times. Any beginner florist can easily cope with the care of this plant.

Absolutely any soil is suitable, but loamy soils are better. The flower feels great in open sunny areas, but it also copes well with shading. It should be said that the shadow and penumbra will not allow everyone to open up decorative properties plants.

When the flower fades, it is pruned to make the flower beds attractive. Pruning also gives impetus to the growth of fresh foliage.

Veronica requires almost no fertilizer or top dressing. If the soil is very poor, this can be done once every two to three years.

You need to feed organic fertilizers in the form of peat, manure.

Wintering

Veronica tolerates frost well and does not need shelter. Peat or humus can be added to the roots, which will only improve the quality of the soil, and the ground part is cut off completely.

Branched and woody species require protection from extreme cold.

Neighborhood with other colors

The flower looks beautiful different plants in the flowerbed: roses, lilies, daisies. It looks good and elegant in a fully finished flower garden, fits into it. Good in the design of the banks of reservoirs and small ponds. Veronica brook grows on water and floats on the surface. A small disadvantage of tall flowers is that they must be tied up so that the bush looks aesthetically pleasing and beautiful. Undersized ones are updated by removing faded inflorescences and the appearance of fresh ones, which give the flower an attractive look all season.

Diseases and pests

Veronica is a disease and pest resistant plant. The threat to the flower will be downy mildew, which appears during prolonged rains and high air temperatures. If this happens, the shoots are removed completely.

Veronica arable is subject to a viral disease of raspberries, ring spot. Occasionally, caterpillars of scoops and moths can attack. Caterpillars are especially fond of young shoots and foliage.

An increase in soil temperature, cessation of watering and regular care(weeding) help control pests. This flower loves aphids and nematodes. The plant is treated with insecticides according to the instructions. Dried inflorescences are removed from decay, which prevents the disease.