Large Speedwell is a European native perennial that brings vibrant blue flowers to spring and early summer gardens. This compact, mounding variety of Veronica austriaca subsp. teucrium grows 12-18 inches tall and spreads 9-12 inches, thriving in zones 4-8 with minimal fuss. The plant produces showy blue flower spikes on sprawling stems clothed in toothed, oblong green leaves, and it handles deer and rabbit pressure with ease, making it a reliable choice for gardens where wildlife browsing is a concern.
Partial Sun
Moderate
4-8
18in H x 12in W
—
Low
Hover over chart points for details
Crater Lake Blue produces dense racemes of brilliant blue flowers that bloom reliably from late spring into June on mounding, spreading stems. The plant demands little attention once established, tolerating poor soils and light shade while resisting deer and rabbit damage entirely. Its compact, slightly sprawling habit and toothed foliage give it textural interest even before the flowers arrive, and a simple midsummer trim encourages a possible second flush of blooms in late summer.
Large Speedwell serves as an ornamental flower in rock gardens, borders, and containers where its low, spreading habit and spring-to-early-summer color provide reliable seasonal interest. It works particularly well in settings where deer and rabbit pressure would damage other flowering perennials, and its mounding form makes it suitable for edging pathways or softening the hard lines of walls and steps.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Trim plants back by approximately half immediately after flowering in June to compact sprawling growth into neat mounds and to encourage possible late-summer rebloom. If self-seeding is undesirable, prune before the plant sets seed.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
“Veronica austriaca, commonly called saw-leaved speedwell or Austrian speedwell, is native to Europe and eastern Asia, where it thrives in rocky, well-drained habitats. The genus itself carries botanical history: it's named for Saint Veronica, who according to tradition gave a handkerchief to Jesus so he could wipe sweat from his face. The 'Crater Lake Blue' selection represents a cultivar chosen for its particularly vivid flower color and compact mounding form, bringing a European alpine character into cultivated gardens.”