Speedwell (Veronica 'Giles van Hees')

Overview

Veronica ‘Giles van Hees’, a charming variety of Speedwell, offers excellent texture and color for the perennial border. This low-growing selection typically reaches only six inches tall, making it perfect for edging and front-of-border placement where space is limited. Its dense spikes of tiny, eye-catching, reddish-pink flowers bloom reliably throughout the summer months.

Gardeners value Veronica ‘Giles van Hees’ for its simple charm and easygoing maintenance requirements. It features slowly spreading mats of small, lance-shaped, medium green foliage that provides neat ground cover when not in bloom. Belonging to the large Veronica genus, this specific cultivar brings consistent performance to sunny landscapes requiring minimal intervention.

This Speedwell variety establishes quickly and requires minimal care once settled, provided its drainage needs are met. It is an excellent choice for creating mass plantings or softening the edges of hardscaping. Enjoy the delicate bloom display of Veronica ‘Giles van Hees’ through the height of summer heat.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Plantaginaceae
• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-8
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 0.25-0.5 ft
  • Spread: 0.25-0.5 ft
• Bloom Time: June to August
• Bloom Description: Reddish-pink
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Water Needs: Medium
• Maintenance Level: Low

How to Grow

The best results for Veronica ‘Giles van Hees’ are achieved when planted in average, well-drained soil, ideally receiving full sun exposure. While it tolerates light shade, dense, colorful flower spikes require abundant sunlight. Ensure the chosen location offers sharp soil drainage, especially heading into winter, to prevent common root diseases.

Watering should be consistent; this Speedwell prefers medium moisture levels. Best performance occurs with regular watering, but never allow the soil to become waterlogged. Applying a layer of organic mulch will significantly help regulate soil temperature and conserve ground moisture, reducing the need for constant irrigation.

Maintenance for this low-care perennial is straightforward. Deadheading is beneficial; remove spent flower spikes promptly to encourage the plant to produce additional rounds of bloom throughout the season. After the primary flowering period concludes, you may cut the plants back close to their basal growth for a tidy appearance.

Landscape Uses

Veronica ‘Giles van Hees’ excels as an edging plant, defining the front lines of garden beds with its compact habit. Due to its low stature (often only 6 inches high), it is highly recommended for placement in rock gardens where its texture contrasts beautifully with stone elements. Consider using this Speedwell along foundations or near pathways where its low maintenance is appreciated.

This cultivar performs exceptionally well when planted in groups or massed plantings, creating carpets of color across sunny slopes or borders. Its suitability for containers also allows gardeners in small spaces to incorporate the beauty of Veronica ‘Giles van Hees’. When massed, it provides continuous visual interest from early summer until mid-summer.

Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Showy

Noteworthy Characteristics

Veronica is a genus of about 250 species of annuals, perennials and some sub-shrubs mainly from Europe. The genus name honors Saint Veronica who reportedly gave a handkerchief to Jesus so he could wipe sweat from his face on the way to Calvary, with some genus plants having markings that resemble the markings on the sacred handkerchief. ‘Giles Van Hees’ is a low-growing veronica which typically grows to only 6” tall, featuring slowly spreading plants with small, lance-shaped, medium green leaves topped by dense, vertical terminal spikes of tiny reddish-pink flowers in summer.

Tolerances

• Rabbit
• Deer

Potential Problems

Veronica ‘Giles van Hees’ generally exhibits excellent resistance to pests and diseases, meaning serious insect or disease problems are rare occurrences. The primary concern involves root rot, which can develop if the plant is situated in wet or poorly-drained soils, especially during colder, damp seasons. Proactive cultural management—ensuring sharp drainage—is the key to prevention. Interestingly, deer and rabbits tend to avoid feeding on this particular Speedwell variety.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Speedwell suitable for?

Veronica ‘Giles van Hees’ thrives in USDA Zones 4 through 8, making it reliably perennial for a wide range of climates.

How large does Veronica ‘Giles van Hees’ grow?

This compact variety typically reaches a mature height between 0.25 and 0.5 feet tall, with a spread of 0.25 to 0.5 feet wide.

When does Veronica ‘Giles van Hees’ bloom?

This Speedwell variety is known for its summer blooming period, typically flowering consistently from June through August with vibrant reddish-pink blooms.

What sun exposure does Speedwell need?

For the best flowering performance, Veronica ‘Giles van Hees’ requires full sun, though it can tolerate a small amount of light shade.

Conclusion

Veronica ‘Giles van Hees’ is a low-maintenance superstar, bringing reliable summer color and neat ground cover to sunny garden spots. Its tolerance for rabbits and deer, combined with beautiful reddish-pink spikes, make this Speedwell an essential component for busy gardeners. Check your local hardiness zone compatibility and plan to incorporate this tough perennial into your borders this spring.

Companion Planting

Selecting good neighbors for Veronica ‘Giles van Hees’ involves looking for plants that share its love for full sun and well-drained conditions. Since it is so low-growing, pair it with medium-height perennials that offer contrast in texture or color later in the season. Hosta varieties with variegated or blue foliage provide excellent cool-toned contrast against the reddish-pink flowers during early summer.

Consider placing this Speedwell in front of taller, late-blooming perennials like Rudbeckia (Black-Eyed Susan) or taller ornamental grasses. This layering effect ensures continuous interest in the border; the Veronica fills the gap early on while the background plants mature. Ensure that companion plants do not create overly dense shade or hold too much moisture around the base of the Veronica.

Propagation Tips

While Veronica ‘Giles van Hees’ spreads slowly via rhizomes, the most common method for increasing your stock or refreshing older clumps is division. The best time to divide these herbaceous perennials is either in early spring just as new growth starts, or in the fall after flowering has completed. Dig up the entire clump and gently tease apart sections, ensuring each new division has a healthy mix of roots and shoots.

When replanting the divisions, immediately place them into a prepared bed that meets the optimal drainage requirements mentioned in the culture section. Keep the newly divided Veronica ‘Giles van Hees’ consistently moist for several weeks afterward to help them re-establish their root systems quickly. This simple technique allows you to easily propagate this desirable low-growing Speedwell at no cost.