Veronica gentianoides

‘Blue Streak’

BLUE STREAK MAT VERONICA

Veronica gentianoides ‘Blue Streak’
BLUE STREAK MAT VERONICA

Veronica gentianoides ‘Blue Streak’ has plump spires of duck egg blue discs, each with deeper veining. Delightful.

Carpet of duck egg blue spires

Blue Streak Mat Veronica provides very showy displays.
With a mass of plump flower spires approx. 25cm. tall.
All packed with disc-like blooms of softest duck egg blue, beautifully veined with cobalt blue.

Plump spires on a dense flat carpet

The flower spires sit boldly upright above a dense, ground-hugging mat of evergreen foliage.
So it is jam-packed with flowers and jam-tight in foliage coverage too.
Blooming jauntily through from mid spring to mid summer.

Bring on a second mass of flowers

Then if you shear it back to the toenails immediately after summer flowering, it will set-to to put up a second round of blooming.

Thick weed suppressing groundcover

Veronica gentianoides ‘Blue Streak’ is a superb groundcover for carpeting along the front edge of a bed, or underplanting among taller plants.
As it gently mats along as a groundcover, flat to the ground, without leaving room for the weeds between the thick mat of foliage.

Almost blackbird proof as an edging plant

In fact the plant grows foliage and stems so solid and compressed – it almost defeats the scratching Blackbirds who love attacking my garden edges.
Hence the common name of  “Blue Mat Veronica”.

Good in heat

Plant Veronica gentianoides ‘Blue Streak’ in Full Sun or some Partial Shade
It can tolerate some Partial Shade – as long as it is not damp shade and the position is well aired.

At home in any good garden soil

So it is right at home in any type of garden loam – acid or alkaline pH, lighter or heavier soil, as long as it is not boggy clay.

Does best in a little tough going

However do not be too generous with the feed, particularly in good soil, as it flowers better and has even stronger, more compact growth if it does it a little tough.

Equally tough in frost

Blue Streak Mat Veronica is equally resistant to hard frosts because it can tolerate temperatures down to at least -25°C and well below, depending on conditions.

Magnet for bees, butterflies & other insect friends

Bees and butterflies are drawn to irresistibly to the flowers because of the abundant nectar.
Providing such a reliable food supply for our flying friends.
So welcome for consistent blooming through hotter months – when so many other plants have given up in the heat.

But no friend to rabbits and deer

Thankfully the flavour of Veronica is not appealing to our nibbling foes.

Low care & easy maintenance

Veronica gentianoides ‘Blue Streak’ is an evergreen perennial groundcover.
The only work to keep it growing perfectly is to cut back the spent flower stems, right back to the base of evergreen foliage.

Rarely troubled by pests or diseases

Blue Streak Mat Veronica is rarely if ever troubled by pests or diseases.
Though mildew may occur if it is kept too damp or without good air flow.

Hardy evergreen perennial groundcover

25cm. High spires of duck egg blue with superb veining x 60cm. Wide low, tight mat of evergreen foliage.
Veronica gentianoides ‘Blue Streak’ is a hardy, evergreen perennial groundcover.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: QUICK & EASY
Suitable for beginners & gardening with kids

Sow all year in punnets indoors, whenever suitable temperatures are available (18-22°C approx).
OR
Sow directly in the garden in spring or autumn.

Sow indoors for quick & early plants: First sow the seeds in a punnet on the surface of good quality seed raising mix.
Then pat gently to the surface to ensure good contact.
But do not cover the seeds, because these seeds need light to germinate.

Now thoroughly moisten the sown punnet by standing it in a shallow water bath.
And allowing the moisture to percolate up to the surface from below.

Then place the punnet in a warm, well-lit position (not in any direct sun as this will dry the seeds out and prevent germination).
You can use a heat mat if you have one, or a warm window sill (out of the sun).

Temperatures of 18-22°C approx. are best for rapid and optimum germination.

Continue to keep the punnet moist by misting from a spray water bottle as required.
Covering the punnet with a clear plastic lid or plastic bag between mistings will also help to maintain necessary consistent moisture.

Seedlings emerge in approx. 30 days.

Prick out as soon as the baby seedlings have developed their first set of true leaves and pot on in good quality potting mix with some slow release fertilizer.
Foliar feed by misting with weak solution of seaweed product.

If the seeds are shy to germinate

If no sprouts show after 30 days – you can help things along by giving the seeds a “pretend winter”(stratification). It means the seeds have entered natural dormancy.
So wrap the moist, sown punnet in cling wrap or a plastic bag, and place in the fridge (not freezer) for 4-6 weeks.
Then ren=move and return to the warm place.

Seed Count: 50 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count and give a generous serve).

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