Veronica prostrata

Veronica prostrata, also known as Prostrate Speedwell, is a charming perennial ground cover native to the alpine regions of Europe. Its late spring flowering is delightful with lots of densely packed spikes covered with small star-shaped flowers in vibrant shades of light to deep blue. It will be more generous in moist soil and sometimes rebloom during the summer. This hardy little speedwell is semi-evergreen to evergreen depending on the severity of winter and prefers a sunny exposure and well-drained soil, though not too dry. A carefree and low-maintenance plant, perfect for rockeries, borders, and informal flower beds.

Veronica prostrata, also known as Veronica rupestris, is a perennial plant with rooting stems in the Scrophulariaceae family. It is native to central and southern Europe where it grows in meadows and clearings, among bushes, as well as on grassy and open slopes. It develops by forming numerous branches, initially prostrate and partly branched, spreading in a circle and then becoming erect when flowering, reaching about 5 to 15 cm (2 to 6in) high. Each stem produces roots at the nodes, allowing the plant to cover the ground over a minimum diameter of 40 cm (16in), much more over time. The stem is solid and covered with small white hairs. The light green and more or less evergreen foliage consists of opposite, elongated, entire leaves, 2.5 cm (1in) long and 1 cm (0in) wide. Both sides of the leaves are hairy and the leaf margin is often slightly rolled inwards. In May-June, the plant produces numerous clusters of small 4-petaled, truly blue flowers, measuring 0.6 cm (0in) in diameter. The flowers begin to bloom at the base of the spikes and then gradually open up to the top.

Prostrate Speedwell is naturally suited to ornament grassy rockeries, such as reconstituted alpine meadows, but it will also thrive on large, sunny, even occasionally dry slopes, as it tolerates drought quite well, although it will reduce its flowering. It will be very useful and beautiful along a pathway, planted en masse and bordered with lady's mantle or silver basket, in a rockery with small chamomiles (Chamaemelum nobile, Anthemis tinctoria, Anthemis cretica) or as a border in a flower bed, alongside Hieracium pilosella, Rhodanthemum hosmariense (in not too cold climates), Antennaria dioica Rubra, Pulsatilla, Teucrium chamaedrys, or perennial bloody cranesbill.