Large speedwell (Veronica austriaca subsp. teucrium 'Crater Lake Blue')

Overview

Veronica austriaca subsp. teucrium ‘Crater Lake Blue’ is a highly valued herbaceous perennial known for delivering a powerful punch of color without demanding excessive effort from the gardener. This cultivar, often referred to as Large speedwell, forms tidy, compact mounds topped with striking, intense gentian blue flowers during the late spring and early summer months. Its reliable performance and vibrant display make it an excellent choice for adding cool blue tones to perennial borders and rock gardens.

The subspecies Teucrium contributes to its specific charm, featuring foliage that resembles germander, providing a neat, green backdrop to the dense flower racemes. As an easy-to-grow plant, Large speedwell thrives in average conditions provided the soil is well-drained, fitting seamlessly into low-maintenance landscapes. Gardeners appreciate that Veronica austriaca subsp. Teucrium ‘Crater Lake Blue’ offers robust texture and near-flawless color performance.

Gardeners seeking reliable color that resists common pests like rabbits and deer should strongly consider adding this speedwell to their planting schemes. Offering both aesthetic appeal and functional resilience, Veronica austriaca subsp. teucrium ‘Crater Lake Blue’ is a cornerstone plant for areas needing cheerful, cool-toned summer interest.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Plantaginaceae
• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-8
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 1-1.5 ft
  • Spread: 0.75-1 ft
• Bloom Time: May to June
• Bloom Description: Gentian blue
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Water Needs: Medium
• Maintenance Level: Low

How to Grow

Plant Large speedwell in the spring or fall, ensuring the selected location provides average, medium moisture, well-drained soil. While it tolerates part shade, achieving the most compact growth and best bloom density with Veronica austriaca subsp. teucrium ‘Crater Lake Blue’ occurs in full sun. Critically, avoid areas where water collects, as wet, poorly drained soils can lead to root rot issues.

Care for this perennial is straightforward. Beyond initial establishment, watering should be consistent but not excessive, adhering to its medium water needs. Fertilizing is rarely necessary if the soil is adequate. The primary maintenance task involves pruning: plants may be trimmed back by half immediately after the initial flush of flowering concludes in June.

This post-bloom pruning serves two practical purposes: it keeps the mature foliage tidy, reducing sprawling tendencies, and it encourages the plant to initiate a potential secondary bloom later in the season. If you choose not to deadhead or trim before seed set, this cultivar may self-seed gently around the parent plant. Propagation is easily achieved through cuttings, seed, or traditional division.

Landscape Uses

Veronica austriaca subsp. teucrium ‘Crater Lake Blue’ is perfectly scaled for positioning at the front of mixed perennial borders where its low, mounding habit won’t obscure taller neighbors. Its brilliant gentian blue flowers harmonize beautifully with contrasting yellows, whites, and pinks, making it a dynamic component in cottage garden designs.

The compact spread and deer resistance make this Large speedwell an excellent candidate for informal groupings or mass plantings. Furthermore, the 12-15 inch upright stems studded with color look fantastic tucked into rock gardens or along pathway fronts, adding reliable structural interest that complements the texture of the surrounding stone or gravel.

Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Showy

Noteworthy Characteristics

Veronica austriaca, commonly called saw-leaved speedwell, Austrian speedwell or Hungarian speedwell, is a compact, mound-forming plant with upright to sprawling stems. It features axillary racemes of blue flowers in spring on mounding to sprawling plants clad with toothed oblong green leaves. ‘Crater Lake Blue’ is particularly noteworthy for its short, dense racemes (2-4” long) bearing tiny, saucer-shaped flowers of intense gentian blue (1/2” across) held on upright stems reaching 12-15” tall.

Tolerances

• Rabbit
• Deer

Potential Problems

Veronica austriaca subsp. teucrium ‘Crater Lake Blue’ is generally robust and resists serious pest infestations. However, gardeners should scout for potential fungal issues, especially in humid or crowded conditions. Watch for scale insects, powdery mildew, downy mildew, and rust, which can all affect the foliage, particularly if air circulation is poor around the plant’s base.

To manage these issues, ensure proper spacing during planting to maximize airflow. If fungal mildew appears, treat promptly with appropriate fungicides and remove heavily infected leaves. A proactive approach to drainage is the best defense against root rot, which is often triggered by overly heavy or perpetually wet soil conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Large speedwell suitable for?

Veronica austriaca subsp. teucrium ‘Crater Lake Blue’ is suitable for gardeners located in USDA Zones 4 through 8.

How large does Large speedwell grow?

This perennial reaches mature heights typically between 1 to 1.5 feet tall, with a spread ranging from 0.75 to 1 foot wide.

What sun exposure does Veronica austriaca subsp. teucrium ‘Crater Lake Blue’ need?

This plant performs best when situated in a location that receives full sun to light part shade.

When does Large speedwell bloom?

Large speedwell produces its most impressive display of blooms from May into June, noted for their intense gentian blue color.

Conclusion

The intense, cool blue tapestry provided by Veronica austriaca subsp. teucrium ‘Crater Lake Blue’ makes it an indispensable element for mid-season garden color. Its combination of low maintenance, pest resistance, and tidy mound-forming habit ensures that this Large speedwell remains a garden favorite for years. Before planting, confirm your site offers excellent drainage, and plan to pinch back blooms after the first flush to maximize its aesthetic longevity.

Propagation Tips

Propagating Veronica austriaca subsp. teucrium ‘Crater Lake Blue’ is achievable through several straightforward methods, offering flexibility for division or starting new plants from scratch. The surest way to maintain the cultivar’s characteristics is division, which should ideally be performed in early spring or fall when the plant is dormant or just emerging. Gently lift the established clump and divide it into smaller sections, ensuring each new piece retains healthy root and crown tissue.

Alternatively, gardeners can propagate new specimens using cuttings taken from semi-hardwood stems during the active growing season. Rooting these cuttings will often yield new plants true to type. While the plant may self-seed if allowed to go to seed, relying on seeds can result in variable offspring, making division or cuttings the preferred method for reliably reproducing the superb ‘Crater Lake Blue’ characteristics.

Companion Planting

Because Large speedwell requires well-drained soil and medium water, successful companion planting involves selecting neighbors with similar cultural needs. Pair Veronica austriaca subsp. teucrium ‘Crater Lake Blue’ with plants that enjoy similar sun exposure, such as certain varieties of Salvia, ornamental alliums, or coreopsis that bloom slightly later. The upright habit and vibrant blue contrast beautifully against the silvery foliage of Lamb’s Ears (Stachys byzantina).

When planting near the front of a border, consider incorporating low-growing aromatic herbs whose textures contrast with the speedwell’s toothed leaves. Avoid planting directly beside moisture-loving species, as excessive competition for water in dry spells, or oversaturation from overwatering companions, can stress the Large speedwell. A unified cultural requirement ensures all plants thrive together harmoniously throughout the growing season.