Veronica, Long-leaf Speedwell 'Skyward™ Blue'

Skyward™ Blue Long-leaf Speedwell | Veronica longifolia 'Balskywlue'

Height:  18 inches

Spacing:  16 inches

Sunlight:       

Hardiness Zone:  4a

Group/Class:  Skyward Series

Brand:  Darwin Perennials

Description:

A compact and tidy, upright habit presenting tall flowers spikes of stunning violet-blue, rising above green, toothy foliage; an excellent pollinator plant, perfect for sunny borders or containers

Ornamental Features

Skyward™ Blue Long-leaf Speedwell has masses of beautiful spikes of royal blue flowers with violet overtones rising above the foliage from late spring to early summer, which are most effective when planted in groupings. Its serrated oval leaves remain dark green in color throughout the season.

Landscape Attributes

Skyward™ Blue Long-leaf Speedwell is a dense herbaceous perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It is a good choice for attracting butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Skyward™ Blue Long-leaf Speedwell is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Rock/Alpine Gardens
• Border Edging
• General Garden Use
• Groundcover
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Skyward™ Blue Long-leaf Speedwell will grow to be about 14 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 16 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 16 inches apart. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 8 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. This plant should not require much in the way of fertilizing once established, although it may appreciate a shot of general-purpose fertilizer from time to time early in the growing season. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

Skyward™ Blue Long-leaf Speedwell is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a mass of flowers against which the larger thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden. Be aware that in our climate, most plants cannot be expected to survive the winter if left in containers outdoors, and this plant is no exception. Contact our experts for more information on how to protect it over the winter months.