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Name That Plant!

What plant is this?

last year

This is a plant that comes after the perennial poppies are done blooming and the poppies start to die down. The plant fills the bed, around 6"+ tall, spreading, alternate foliage with small white flowers.

It doesn't seem to stop the poppies from coming in the spring but iirc: I do pull a few when the poppies are just starting. It pretty much takes over after that.

TIA.

Closeup:

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Comments (14)

sah67 (zone 5b - NY)
last year
Looks like Veronica sp., creeping speedwell. There are a few different possibilities in Minnesota: https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/search?kw=Veronica
BillMN-z-2-3-4 thanked sah67 (zone 5b - NY)
BillMN-z-2-3-4
Original Author
last year
Thanks!

I'll see if I can get a good look at the flowers. They're not always open.
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BillMN-z-2-3-4
Original Author
last year
Veronica persica?
sah67 (zone 5b - NY)
last year
I'm not a Veronica expert, so I can't get much further than the genus.
BillMN-z-2-3-4 thanked sah67 (zone 5b - NY)
Jay 6a Chicago
last year
There are a few similar blue Speedwells. This link might help to narrow them down.

http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/plants/be_speedwell.htm
BillMN-z-2-3-4 thanked Jay 6a Chicago
BillMN-z-2-3-4
Original Author
last year
The only feature that had me puzzled was the documentation that described the flowers being the largest size of all others in the genus. Persica was like >1/4" to 1/2" in diameter. Mine are lucky to be 1/4" dia. but are so identical in appearance otherwise. Unless it's a subspecies sort of thing I don't see what other kind it could be.

Veronica persica will have to be my choice unless someone can educate me otherwise. ;^)
Jay 6a Chicago
last year
I don't think Veronica persica and polita have any varieties or subspecies. I don't know if any others do, but peregrin has a variety.
BillMN-z-2-3-4 thanked Jay 6a Chicago
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
last year
its a vicious weed regardless of its name... if its blooming.. its seeding.. so beware.. unless you are willing to give your whole garden to it ...

a weed is a weed.. im not sure we need to know their names.. lol.. other than for the sake of knowledge of course ... but imo.. you need to get a hate on for this thing.. not ask it its name.. and start dating it. ... lol

ken
BillMN-z-2-3-4 thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
BillMN-z-2-3-4
Original Author
last year
When you think about it ken, every plant is 'weed'.

It's just that some have features that make people desire them more than others. :-)

And It's really not a 'vicious' weed at all. It doesn't come until the flowers are done and hasn't taken control of the bed. Pretty easy to cultivate out compared to some other naturally spreading weeds.

I'd like to know more about this plant, so I'll read up on it when I have more time.

For now, it's better than looking at a bare flower bed as the perennials there are done early in the season.
BillMN-z-2-3-4
Original Author
last year
Veronica persica is not considered an invasive problem anywhere.

IME: It's not a very aggressive plant either.

https://uswildflowers.com/detail.php?SName=Veronica%20persica#:~:text=It%20is%20a%20weedy%20plant,be%20restricted%20in%20any%20state.

This stuff is everywhere, it's not like you're going to eradicate it. And why would you want to? It doesn't interfere with gardening. Now Quack grass is another matter.
BillMN-z-2-3-4
Original Author
last year
The V. persica was in full flower this AM. Small but appealing to the eyes. 8^)

:-)
Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
last year
That is awesome! Micro blooms are virtually impossible to get on purpose, they have to find you.
BillMN-z-2-3-4 thanked Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
BillMN-z-2-3-4
Original Author
10 months ago
JFWIW:

The Veronica persica did not affect the poppies making a comeback! Same bed 6-2-2023.
BillMN-z-2-3-4
Original Author
9 months ago
Except for the two places that the rabbits dug to get under my deck, the Veronica persica is flowing again (the rabbits dug where the poppies were so thick, I just happen to cut down the poppies right after bloom and noticed the holes).

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