Veronica longifolia

‘Blue Shades’

BLUE SPEEDWELL

Veronica longifolia ‘Blue Shades’
BLUE SPEEDWELL

Veronica longifolia ‘Blue Shades’ has tapering spires of blue, shading from rich blue bases to a soft blue-cream tips. The shaded tapers make an arresting sight.

Tapering spires of purest white

It is a very showy plant, with unbranching flower spires to approx. 80cm. high.

Exceptionally long blooming

In a continuous display all through summer & autumn.
And the spires really catch attention as they stand tall, upright and unbranched, forming a dense column of shaded blue – so cool in the summer.
It is a brilliant vertical accent, and for such a very long time with it’s months of bloom.

Exceptional cut flowers for florists

The flower spires also make excellent fresh cut flowers, as they are long lasting in the vase and such elegant tapers in an arrangement.

Good in dry & heat

Plant Veronica longifolia ‘Blue Shades’ in Full Sun. Though it can also tolerate some Partial Shade as long as it is not damp shade and is well aired.
‘Blue Shades’ revels in good drainage. So it is right at home in sandy soil, gravel or rocky soil, as well as garden loam. It also appreciates lime and some fertilizer in spring.
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.

Drought resistant & water-wise

Stylish Veronica longifolia ‘Blue Shades’ is drought resistant, water-wise and needs very little supplementary water.
So it will keep on smiling through periods of heat and dry.

Equally tough in frost

And is equally resistant to hard frosts because it can tolerate temperatures down to at least -20C and well below, depending on conditions.

Magnet for bees, butterflies & other insect friends

Bees and butterflies are drawn to irresistibly to Veronica longifolia ‘Blue Shades’, because of it’s abundant nectar.
And it provides such a reliable food supply for the flying friends, because of the exceptionally long and consistent blooming.
Through the months when many other plants have given up in the heat.

But no friend to rabbits and deer

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

Low care & easy maintenance

Veronica longifolia ‘Blue Shades’ is an evergreen perennial.
The only work to keep it growing perfectly is to cut back the spent flower stems at the end of the season, right back to the base of evergreen foliage.
It is rarely if ever troubled by pests or diseases. Though mildew may occur if it is kept too damp or without good air flow.

80cm. High spires of long tapering pure white x 45cm. Wide low clump of evergreen foliage.

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

Sow all year in punnets indoors / scatter in the garden in spring or autumn.

INDOORS: 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.
Now barely cover the seed with sieved mix / vermiculite / or fine sandy grit.
Because these seeds need light to germinate, so do not bury them.

Now thoroughly moisten the sown punnet by standing 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 direct sun).
You can use a heat mat if you have one, or a warm window sill (out of the sun).

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

Continue to keep moist by misting from a spray water bottle as required.
Covering the punnet with a clear plastic lid also helps top maintain consistent moisture.

Seedlings emerge in approx. 14-28 days.

SEED COUNT:  300 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count and give a generous serve).

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