Speedwell (Veronica 'Foxy Lady')
Veronica 'Foxy Lady' Speedwell offers vibrant, upright spikes of fuschia pink and white flowers from mid-summer to early fall.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Veronica ‘Foxy Lady’ Speedwell is a highly valued herbaceous perennial celebrated for its reliable, long-lasting summer color. This cultivar provides striking vertical accents courtesy of dense, bicolored flower spikes bursting with fuschia pink and white blooms from July through September. Unlike some other perennials, this Speedwell maintains a neat, low mound of deep green foliage when not in flower, offering year-round texture.
As a low-maintenance option favored by gardeners for border fronts and mass plantings, Veronica ‘Foxy Lady’ thrives in bright sunlight and requires only average care. Its specific coloration makes it an excellent choice for adding cool-toned contrast near hot summer hues. The erect growth habit of ‘Foxy Lady’ ensures it won’t sprawl, keeping garden beds tidy.
This outstanding plant, belonging to the genus Veronica, offers exceptional resilience; it is generally free from serious pest or disease issues. Providing consistent moisture is key to maximizing the performance of Veronica ‘Foxy Lady’ throughout the hottest months, ensuring continuous display of its eye-catching flower spikes.
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: July to September
- Bloom Description: Fuschia pink and white (bicolor)
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
The ideal location for Veronica ‘Foxy Lady’ is where it receives full sun, though it handles light shade gracefully. Plant in average soil that is consistently medium in moisture, ensuring the soil is well-drained, especially through the winter months to prevent root rot. Applying a layer of organic mulch helps maintain even soil moisture levels, crucial for achieving the best performance from this Speedwell variety.
Watering should be routine; aim for consistent moisture rather than allowing the soil to become waterlogged or bone dry. While this plant generally requires little supplemental fertilizer, a balanced feed in early spring can support vigorous summer blooming. Pruning care is minimal but beneficial: promptly remove spent flower spikes immediately after flowering to encourage a fresh flush of blooms later in the season.
After the main flowering period ends, you can maintain a compact shape by cutting the plants back severely to their basal foliage mound. This ensures a tidy appearance heading into dormancy and prepares the Veronica ‘Foxy Lady’ for strong emergence the following spring. Good air circulation helps prevent potential fungal issues associated with high humidity.
Landscape Uses
Veronica ‘Foxy Lady’ excels as an edging plant along pathways or the front line of mixed perennial borders, capitalizing on its 1 to 1.5-foot mature height. Because it is best grown in groups or massed, planting several plants together creates a significant, continuous block of bicolor color throughout the mid-summer landscape. Its upright structure also makes it suitable for use in foundation plantings where a low, neat profile is desired.
These vibrant speedwells integrate well into rock gardens, adding necessary vertical elements among lower-growing succulents or groundcovers. They also perform admirably in containers, pairing beautifully with mounding annuals or trailing edibles, provided the container has excellent drainage. Consider pairing Veronica ‘Foxy Lady’ with silver foliage or deep purple companions to accentuate its bright pink and white flower spikes.
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. 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. The cultivar ‘Foxy Lady’ is an erect, clump-forming speedwell that features bicolored flower spikes packed with bright fuschia pink and white flowers and is a sport of Veronica ‘Red Fox’. Narrow, lance-shaped, toothed, deep green leaves form a foliage mound, with flowering spikes rising above to 12-15” tall featuring densely packed, bi-colored flowers.
Tolerances
- Rabbit
- Deer
Potential Problems
Veronica ‘Foxy Lady’ is generally a resilient plant regarding pests and diseases, often exhibiting no serious issues when sited correctly. The primary cultural problem to avoid is root rot, which occurs if the plant is subjected to wet, poorly-drained soils, particularly over winter when cool temperatures slow down water absorption. Deer and rabbits typically find this Speedwell unappealing, offering a built-in layer of protection against browsing wildlife. Ensure sharp drainage and avoid overwatering to guarantee years of low-maintenance enjoyment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Speedwell suitable for?
Veronica ‘Foxy Lady’ Speedwell is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 4 through 8.
How large does Veronica ‘Foxy Lady’ grow?
This perennial typically reaches a height between 1 and 1.5 feet tall, spreading to about 0.75 to 1 foot wide.
When does Veronica ‘Foxy Lady’ bloom?
You can expect the showy, fuschia pink and white bicolor blooms of this Speedwell from July all the way through September.
What sun exposure does Veronica ‘Foxy Lady’ need?
For the most prolific display, Veronica ‘Foxy Lady’ requires full sun, though it will tolerate light shaded conditions.
Conclusion
Veronica ‘Foxy Lady’ Speedwell offers tremendous late-season color with minimal fuss, making it an indispensable plant for reliable border structure and charm. Its distinctive bicolor spikes and low maintenance needs secure its spot in gardens across USDA Zones 4-8. Plan to incorporate Veronica ‘Foxy Lady’ into your landscape design this coming season while ensuring you provide the necessary sharp soil drainage for optimal long-term health.
Companion Planting
When designing borders around Veronica ‘Foxy Lady’, choose companions that share similar cultivation needs for sun and medium moisture. Silver-leaved plants, such as Artemisia or Lamb’s Ears (Stachys byzantina), offer a beautiful textural contrast to the dark green foliage and help highlight the bright pink and white flowers. For height variation, plant taller spire-like flowers like Salvia or tall ornamental grasses behind the speedwell. For foreground color, consider low-mounding Ajuga or Geraniums, which provide ground cover and keep the base of the Veronica ‘Foxy Lady’ tidy.
Propagation Tips
The easiest method for increasing your stock of Veronica ‘Foxy Lady’ is through timely division, especially in the early spring before new growth fully emerges or in the fall after flowering concludes. Carefully dig up the established clump and gently tease apart the roots, ensuring each new section has a healthy set of roots and several viable shoots. Smaller divisions may take a season longer to reach mature flowering size than larger divisions. Basal cuttings can also be taken from new spring growth and rooted under humid conditions to propagate more of this desirable Speedwell cultivar.
