Veronica repens (Creeping Speedwell) – Ground Cover Perennial (Set of 3 or 6)

Creeping speedwell is a flat, mat forming perennial that turns bare soil into a living carpet of small bright green leaves.

It stays only 2 to 5cm high and spreads 30 to 50cm per plant, knitting together into a dense, weed suppressing layer. In late spring and early summer it is covered in dainty pale blue to lilac flowers that bees work over. It takes light foot traffic, so it is one of the best things to plant between stepping stones or along a path edge.

Use it in rockeries, alpine beds, the front of a border, in troughs and containers, or anywhere you want low cover. Give it sun or partial shade and soil that stays moist rather than drying out, and space the plants 20 to 30cm apart so they can close up.

Note that this is the low creeping speedwell, not a shrubby hebe, so it wants moister ground and is not a plant for a salt laden coastal garden. A light trim after flowering keeps it tidy. Supplied as a set of three or six plants, each as a root ball ready for planting.

Cultural Information

• Common Name: Creeping speedwell
• Fully Grown Height and Spread: 2 to 5cm tall, spreading 30 to 50cm per plant
• Growth Habit: Low growing, mat forming, creeping ground cover
• Perfect For: Ground cover, between paving, path edges, rockeries, alpine gardens, troughs and containers
• Foliage: Small, rounded, bright green leaves
• Flowering Time: Late spring to early summer
• Planting Position: Full sun or partial shade, in soil that stays moist. Grows well in troughs and containers
• Soil Type: Moist but well drained
• Hardiness: Fully hardy
• Maintenance: Low. A light trim after flowering keeps growth tidy
• Seasonal Interest: Spring and summer
• Type: Hardy ground cover perennial