Speedwell (Veronica 'Wizard of Ahhs')

Overview

Veronica ‘Wizard of Ahhs’, a popular variety of Speedwell, is highly valued in perennial borders for its reliable summer color and compact habit. This floriferous selection presents striking spikes of small, rich cobalt blue flowers that draw the eye during the mid-summer months. It forms a tidy presence, typically reaching 1.5 feet tall with a similar spread, making it an excellent structural element in mixed plantings.

As an herbaceous perennial, Veronica ‘Wizard of Ahhs’ offers dependable, low-maintenance performance across a wide range of climates, thriving best in full sun. Gardeners appreciate its relative toughness and its ability to provide continuous, vibrant blue contrast against surrounding foliage. Its manageable size ensures it doesn’t overwhelm smaller garden spaces or foundations.

The genus Veronica carries historical significance, reportedly named after Saint Veronica, adding a thoughtful layer to this beautiful blooming plant. For landscapes needing reliable blue accents that stand up well to heat and regular moisture, Veronica ‘Wizard of Ahhs’ Speedwell proves to be an essential tool in the perennial palette.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Plantaginaceae
• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-8
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 1.25-1.5 ft
  • Spread: 1.5-2 ft
• Bloom Time: June to August
• Bloom Description: Blue
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Water Needs: Medium
• Maintenance Level: Low

How to Grow

The ideal conditions for establishing Veronica ‘Wizard of Ahhs’ involve planting in average, medium moisture soil that possesses sharp drainage. While it seeks full sun for the best performance, this Speedwell variety will tolerate light shade, though bloom intensity might slightly decrease. Plant during the spring or fall, ensuring the location drains well, as wet, poorly-drained soils, especially during winter dormancy, increase the risk of root rot.

Care for this low-maintenance perennial revolves around consistent moisture management. Provide regular watering, ensuring the soil remains consistently moist but never waterlogged, particularly throughout the heat of summer. Applying a layer of organic mulch helps regulate soil temperatures and retain necessary moisture levels around the root zone.

Maintenance is minimal for Veronica ‘Wizard of Ahhs’. Deadheading is beneficial; remove spent flower spikes promptly after they fade to encourage the plant to put energy into producing subsequent blooms. After the main flowering period concludes, you have the option of cutting the plants back entirely to basal growth to maintain a neat appearance heading into fall.

Landscape Uses

Veronica ‘Wizard of Ahhs’ excels in structured gardening designs where consistent texture and color are required. Its compact height makes it a superb edging plant, providing a neat frame for perennial borders or softening the transition between lawn and garden beds. Mass plantings of this Speedwell create dramatic rivers of blue that are highly effective against light-colored foundations or hardscaping.

This variety is perfectly suited for rock gardens, where its moderate size and reliable structure complement coarse textures and alpine companions. Furthermore, its neat habit ensures it performs admirably as a standalone feature in containers placed on sunny patios or decks. When selecting companions, choose plants that share its medium water needs and full sun preference, such as silver foliage or contrasting yellow bloomers.

Consider grouping Veronica ‘Wizard of Ahhs’ with mid-height perennials like Baptisia or shorter ornamental grasses. This creates layers of interest while ensuring that the vibrant blue spikes of the Speedwell are showcased effectively throughout the early to mid-summer months.

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. Veronica ‘Wizard of Ahhs’ is a compact, floriferous selection of speedwell that will reach up to 1.5’ tall with a 2’ spread. Spikes of small, cobalt blue flowers appear during the summer.

Tolerances

• Rabbit
• Deer

Potential Problems

This variety of Speedwell is generally robust, suffering from no serious common insect or disease issues when sited correctly. The primary cultural pitfall involves drainage; root rot is a significant concern if the soil stays constantly saturated or poorly drained, especially during cool or wet winter periods. Conversely, deer and rabbits typically avoid consuming Veronica ‘Wizard of Ahhs’, offering protection against pest damage in varied garden settings. Ensure sharp drainage to prevent root issues, and monitoring moisture levels will keep your plant thriving.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Speedwell suitable for?

Veronica ‘Wizard of Ahhs’ Speedwell is suitable for USDA Zones 4 through 8.

How large does Veronica ‘Wizard of Ahhs’ grow?

This cultivar reaches a mature height between 1.25 and 1.5 feet tall, with a spread ranging from 1.5 to 2 feet wide.

When does Veronica ‘Wizard of Ahhs’ bloom?

This Speedwell variety produces its recognizable blue flowers reliably from June through August.

What sun exposure does Speedwell need?

Veronica ‘Wizard of Ahhs’ requires full sun exposure for the most prolific flowering, although it can tolerate light shade.

Conclusion

Veronica ‘Wizard of Ahhs’ Speedwell provides exceptional, tidy blue color with minimal effort, making it a garden powerhouse for low-maintenance design. Its compact form and summer bloom time secure its place in perennial borders and foundation plantings. Before planting, confirm your garden’s hardiness zone matches Zones 4-8 and ensure you can meet its requirement for medium, well-drained moisture.

Companion Planting

Choosing appropriate neighbors greatly enhances the visual impact of Veronica ‘Wizard of Ahhs’. Since this Speedwell prefers full sun and medium moisture, excellent companions are other sun-loving perennials with similar water needs that offer contrasting textures or colors. Consider pairing the upright blue spikes with silver-leafed Lamb’s Ears (Stachys byzantina) for textural contrast near the front of the border.

For a classic cottage garden feel, intersperse Veronica ‘Wizard of Ahhs’ among plants that bloom slightly earlier or later, ensuring continuous interest. Shasta Daisies or taller Astilbes (if shade tolerance is managed) create rich color combinations against the cobalt blue of the Speedwell. Always site companions so they do not heavily shade the base of the Speedwell, as it thrives best with sun exposure.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Spring preparation for Veronica ‘Wizard of Ahhs’ involves cutting back any old basal growth remaining from the previous season if you skipped the fall pruning. This encourages fresh, healthy foliage emergence. Begin watching your watering schedule; as spring transitions into summer, consistent medium moisture becomes crucial for establishing strong flowering stems.

During the peak heat of summer (July/August), maintain vigilant monitoring of soil moisture to prevent drying out, especially if planted in raised beds or containers. Deadheading spent blue flower spikes immediately after they fade is the most important summer task; this simple act stimulates the plant to set new flowers, extending the blooming period well into August.

Fall care is straightforward for this hardy perennial. After the foliage begins to fade or after the final flush of blooms, you can employ the hard pruning method, cutting the entire plant back close to the ground. This tidiness prevents snow buildup from damaging weak stems and prepares the tidy crown for a healthy overwintering in USDA Zones 4-8.