Chicago Botanic Garden has released the results of a 10-year study of speedwells, Veronica and Veronicastrum, in its 33rd issue of Plant Evaluation Notes, “A Comparative Study of Veronica and Veronicastrum.” Between 1999 and 2009, 64 taxa of veronica were evaluated in full-sun trials. The goal of the comparative trial was to recommend outstanding speedwells for northern gardens.
Many of the speedwells received four-star good ratings or higher for heavy flower production, robust plant habits, disease and pest resistance and winter hardiness. Speedwells are typically grouped into two habit types: prostrate mat-forming and upright clump-forming species. Among the top-rated plants were ground-hugging speedwells such as Veronica ‘Blue Reflection’, V. gentianoides ‘Pallida’, V. prostrata ‘Mrs. Holt’, as well as exceptional upright-growing V. austriaca ‘Ionian Skies’, V. longifolia ‘Blue John’ and V. spicata ‘Baby Doll’.