Shrubby Speedwell 'Alicia Amherst' is a purple-flowered hybrid shrub that brings Mediterranean elegance to temperate gardens, thriving in zones 8-10. Named after the pioneering English horticulturist Alicia Amherst, this dwarf speedwell reaches 36-48 inches tall and wide, making it substantial enough for hedging yet manageable for smaller landscapes. From June through September, it produces showy blooms that attract butterflies while remaining entirely unpalatable to deer and rabbits, a rare combination of beauty and wildlife resistance that few shrubs offer.
Partial Sun
Moderate
8-10
48in H x 48in W
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High
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Purple flowers rise from glossy evergreen foliage on a compact, rounded form that flowers prolifically from early summer into fall. Remove spent flower spikes and the plant rewards you with continuous blooms rather than shutting down after an initial flush. Its resistance to deer and rabbit pressure means you can actually enjoy ornamental plants without cages or sprays, while the nectar-rich flowers turn your garden into butterfly territory.
Shrubby Speedwell works beautifully as a flowering hedge, where its moderate size and dense habit create structure without overwhelming boundaries. The showy summer blooms and evergreen foliage mean the hedge remains attractive even after flowers fade. It also serves well in mixed borders, containers, and coastal gardens where its preference for Mediterranean-style conditions shines.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Remove spent flower spikes throughout the bloom season (June-September) to encourage additional flowering rather than seed set. After flowering concludes, plants can be cut back to basal growth to maintain a compact, tidy form and promote vigorous new growth the following season. Light pruning maintains shape; severe cutting back is optional but beneficial for plant renewal.
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“Veronica, the genus to which this shrub belongs, carries a lineage steeped in Christian tradition and botanical history. The genus itself was named for Saint Veronica, who according to legend offered her handkerchief to Jesus on the way to Calvary, with markings on certain Veronica flowers said to resemble those on the sacred cloth. 'Alicia Amherst' honors Alicia Amherst herself (1865-1941), an English horticulturist and garden designer whose work left a lasting mark on garden culture. As a hybrid cultivar, this variety represents intentional breeding to combine the best traits of its Veronica parents: a plant sturdy enough for modern gardens yet refined enough for formal plantings.”