Speedwell (Veronica 'Sunny Border Blue')
Veronica 'Sunny Border Blue' Speedwell is a low-maintenance perennial prized for dense spikes of deep blue flowers from May to frost.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Veronica ‘Sunny Border Blue’, commonly known as Speedwell, is a highly valued herbaceous perennial celebrated for its reliable color display throughout the growing season. This cultivar produces dense, upright terminal spikes of dark violet-blue flowers, beginning in late May and often continuing until the first frost. Its vigorous habit and attractive foliage make Veronica ‘Sunny Border Blue’ a standout choice for adding vertical interest and cool blue tones to mixed borders.
Gardeners appreciate this Speedwell for its exceptional durability and relatively low maintenance requirements. It thrives with consistent moisture and sharp drainage, offering reliable performance across USDA zones 4 through 9. Beyond its aesthetic appeal as a long-blooming bedding plant, Veronica ‘Sunny Border Blue’ performs admirably when used as a fresh cut flower.
Valued for being resistant to common garden pests like deer and rabbits, this Speedwell hybrid introduces structure and reliable summer-to-fall color to the landscape without demanding constant attention. Planting Veronica ‘Sunny Border Blue’ in masses provides the best visual impact.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Plantaginaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1.5-2 ft
- Spread: 1-1.5 ft
- Bloom Time: May to October
- Bloom Description: Blue
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
For optimal performance, plant Veronica ‘Sunny Border Blue’ during spring or fall in average soil conditions. Full sun exposure is necessary to maintain compact growth and prolific flowering, though this Speedwell tolerates light shade. The most crucial requirement is well-drained soil; sharp drainage, particularly during winter, prevents crown or root rot issues.
Maintain consistent moisture, especially during dry periods. Regular watering is preferred over infrequent, deep soaking, aligning with its medium water needs. While not strictly necessary, applying an organic mulch helps regulate soil temperature and conserve the consistent moisture that Veronica ‘Sunny Border Blue’ performs best with.
Maintenance for this perennial is commendably low. Remove the spent flower spikes (deadheading) promptly after they fade to stimulate the plant to produce new blooms, extending the May-to-October display. If the plant becomes leggy late in the season, a hard cut back to the basal growth can tidy it up for the next year.
Landscape Uses
Veronica ‘Sunny Border Blue’ excels in structured plantings where its upright spikes create definition. It is ideal for border fronts, providing a reliable mid-height accent between shorter edgers and taller backdrop plants. Because Speedwell performs best when grouped, mass planting creates drifting ribbons of blue color throughout sunny areas of the garden.
This tough perennial also translates well into foundation plantings, offering season-long structure where repetitive color is desired. Furthermore, Veronica ‘Sunny Border Blue’ is well-suited for containers, where its vertical habit contrasts nicely with mounding or trailing annuals and perennials. Consider pairing this vivid blue with contrasting yellows, whites, or silver foliage for striking summer combinations.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Good Cut
Noteworthy Characteristics
Veronica is a genus of about 250 species of annuals, perennials and some sub-shrubs mainly from Europe. 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. ‘Sunny Border Blue’ is a tall hybrid speedwell that features dense, upright, terminal spikes (racemes) of dark violet-blue flowers which bloom from late May to frost. Flower spikes typically rise 18-24” tall. Wrinkled, dark green leaves (to 2” long). Good fresh cut flower. 1993 Perennial Plant of the Year
Tolerances
- Rabbit
- Deer
Potential Problems
Veronica ‘Sunny Border Blue’ is generally robust and displays remarkable resistance to most serious insect pests or common fungal diseases. The primary concern for gardeners relates to improper soil conditions. Root rot is a potential issue if the plant sits in wet, poorly-drained soil, especially prevalent during mild winter conditions. Ensure sharp drainage to mitigate this risk. Deer and rabbits typically find this Speedwell undesirable, offering a natural layer of protection against browsing pests.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Speedwell suitable for?
Veronica ‘Sunny Border Blue’ is robustly hardy across USDA Zones 4-9, allowing for wide applicability across varied climates.
How large does Veronica ‘Sunny Border Blue’ grow?
This cultivar typically reaches a height between 1.5 and 2 feet tall, with a spread spanning 1 to 1.5 feet wide, forming a neat, upright clump.
When does Veronica ‘Sunny Border Blue’ bloom?
This Speedwell displays its blue flowers consistently from May through October, ensuring long-lasting color performance throughout the summer season.
What sun exposure does Speedwell need?
For best results, position Veronica ‘Sunny Border Blue’ where it receives full sun daily, which promotes the densest flower spikes.
Conclusion
The reliability, vibrant blue coloration, and low-maintenance profile make Veronica ‘Sunny Border Blue’ an indispensable element for perennial borders and landscape accents. This celebrated Speedwell cultivar offers excellent season-long performance with minimal fuss. Review your native soil’s drainage capabilities and plan to plant this perennial during temperate seasons to establish a healthy base for years of vibrant blue color.
Companion Planting
When selecting companions for Veronica ‘Sunny Border Blue’, focus on plants that share similar requirements for sun exposure and medium moisture while offering contrasting textures or colors. Given the upright, spiky form of Speedwell, pair it with mounding plants or those offering broad leaves to break up the vertical lines. Plants like shorter varieties of ornamental grasses, silver-leaved Artemisia, or pale yellow Daylilies create beautiful complementary textures alongside the dark violet-blue flowers.
Avoid planting Speedwell directly into boggy areas or areas that retain standing water, as this conflicts with its need for sharp drainage. Instead, intersperse it with drought-tolerant companions that dislike heavy, wet soil. This ensures all neighboring plants thrive under the same cultural regime, leading to a more cohesive and less labor-intensive garden section.
Design Ideas for Vertical Interest
The 1.5 to 2-foot stature of Veronica ‘Sunny Border Blue’ positions it perfectly as a middle-border plant, acting as a buffer between shorter groundcovers and taller background shrubs. Use its distinct vertical form in drifts of seven or more plants to maximize the visual punch of its blue spikes. This repetition creates a perceived line of color moving through the garden, drawing the eye along the border edge.
Consider using this Speedwell in formal or cottage garden designs. In a cottage setting, allow it to mix freely with softer plantings like Shasta Daisies or Echinacea, where the dark blue contrast is highly effective. For a more modern or structural look, plant Veronica ‘Sunny Border Blue’ in neat rows against a monochromatic backdrop of slate or white-flowering perennials.
