Veronica liwanensis

Veronica liwanensis is a small Turkish speedwell with a low, creeping, evergreen growth habit that slowly forms a dense ground cover. It almost disappears in late spring under a swarm of small, bright cobalt blue flowers, and its succulent foliage takes on beautiful bronze to purple hues in winter cold or intense summer heat and sunlight. It is more generous in moist soil and sometimes re-blooms during the summer or in September. As it will tolerate occasional trampling, this perennial can be used as an alternative to grass in less-used areas. A delightful, care-free and low-maintenance plant, perfect for rockeries, borders, and informal flower beds.

Veronica liwanensis is a perennial plant from the scrophulariaceae family with rooting stems. It is native to Eastern Asia and the Caucasus, particularly northern Turkey, where it grows at high altitudes on rocky slopes and in alpine meadows. It develops slowly, forming numerous short and prostrate branches on the ground. The height of the foliage does not exceed 5 cm (2in). Each stem produces roots at the nodes, allowing the plant to cover the ground over a diameter of at least 40 cm (16in), more over time. The stem is solid and covered with small white hairs. The fairly light green foligae is evergreen and composed of small, oval, opposite, entire, fleshy, and shiny leaves, toothed along the edges. In May-June, the plant produces clusters of small flowers with 4 pale blue petals striped with ultramarine, 0.6 cm (0in) in diameter, with a white centre, just above the foliage. If the soil remains moist and the plant is trimmed, it will re-bloom during the summer or late summer, depending on the climate.

Veronica liwanensis naturally fits in rockeries and alpine meadows, but also thrives on large, sunny slopes, even if they are occasionally dry, as it tolerates drought quite well. It will be useful and beautiful in a Japanese stepping stone path or along a pathway, planted en masse and bordered by lady's mantles or silverweed, or in a rockery with small chamomiles (Chamaemelum nobile, Anthemis tinctoria, Anthemis cretica). It can also replace the lawn in a small area which is not conducive to establishing a real lawn, maybe planted with thymes. Along a flower bed, it can also be paired with pilosella hawkweed, Antennaria dioica Rubra, pasqueflowers, Teucrium chamaedrys, or perennial bloody cranesbill. Finally, it will work wonders at the base of larger plants in pots and hanging baskets.