skip to main content

is there a " best" veronica austriaca?

7 years ago

I'm trying to decide between the following varieties of veronica austriaca, and I wonder if anyone can help me by telling me more about the following varieties: "Crater Lake Blue", Kapitan", "Royal Blue" and "Knallblau". I'm looking for intense, deep blue colour, lots of flowers for the longest time, resistance to heat and drought, vigour; can anyone help me choose?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

Embothrium
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
F.W.I.W. I see that under British conditions anyway 'Crater Lake Blue' and 'Royal Blue' were apparently determined to be top performers in 1993 (A.G.M. = Award of Garden Merit):

http://apps.rhs.org.uk/agm/Award2.asp?User2=Hrb&crit=veronica%20and%20austriaca

Closer to home Chicago Botanic Garden also has an ongoing garden plant evaluation program of some scope. I found this on their web site (unfortunately it appears the only forms of this species they looked at were 'Crater Lake Blue' and a pale one):

https://www.chicagobotanic.org/downloads/planteval_notes/no33_veronica.pdf
User thanked Embothrium
daisyincrete Z10? 905feet/275 metres
7 years ago
Bart, can you grow veronicas in Italy? Have you tried some already? How did they do?

The only blue perennials I can grow are Aster x frikartii, Felicia amelliodes and Ceratostigmas.

Daisy
Related Discussions
Choosing Roseary, Veronica (speedwell) or Hydrangea
Q
Comments (1)
Did you want blue flowers? Got that impression, since all of these come in at least blue, if not other colors also. If blue is not an overriding factor, I'd lean towards the hydrangea (it's pink and a pretty stable pink at that), as it's the right size and would prefer a part/morning sun location. And I'd opt for the veronica before the rosemary - veronicas come in a wide range of heights and they are very showy when in bloom. Rosemary can get BIG (where sufficiently hardy) and would be happiest in full, all day sun. May not like your summer humidity much, either.
...See More
Veronica Sunny Border Blue Question
Q
Comments (9)
I live in a hot humid area but my veronica sunny borders have done very well. They did have other plants around them but they along with many other perennials were moved this year to a new huge perennial bed and everything is spaced widely so perhaps I will see what you all are talking about. I also moved them to full sun, they had some shade before but bloomed great. Georgia blue is fantastic.
...See More
Veronica Sunny Border Blue - still a keeper
Q
Comments (7)
I'm thinking of getting these this year. I'm trying to create a bee garden, and every year I see these and want them and never get them. I tried I think it was called "Icicle" veronica and it got really nasty looking. There wasn't much sign of life, so we got rid of it. We are going to put some clay breaker down because there is some clay in that area. Hopefully that will help some of the drainage.
...See More
Best Veronica - Blue
Q
Comments (1)
mad about suds, I have grown Veronica 'Sunny Border Blue' and it is a sweet little plant but it does have a short bloom time ...three weeks at the most and the after flowering foliage is so-so. I wonder if you really want a 20' front of the border planting of Veronica. Can you tell us more about your garden and what you are looking for? kt
...See More
kay
2 years ago
hi Embothrium,

just wondering if you ever chose one of the veronicas and which one - im looking at Kapitan for melbourne australia and i just wonder how it went with you. I dont want one that runs too easily.

kay

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Veronica

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Consider adaptable Veronica, or speedwell, for its colorful blooms, butterfly-drawing power and low maintenance requirements

Sponsored

More Discussions

A Year of Bulbs

83

Action packed or leave room?

19

Hellebore question and opinions

12

Worms in hosta roots?

13

Super dark daylilies??

5