Creeping Speedwell 'Sunshine' is a diminutive ground-hugging perennial that trades showy flowers for something rarer: truly ornamental foliage in warm gold tones. This cultivar of Veronica repens grows just 1 inch tall but spreads across 3 to 12 inches, creating a dense, mat-like carpet of tiny leaves that evoke baby's tears more than typical speedwell. It thrives in zones 6 through 9 with full sun and moderate water, blooming in May and June with small purple flower clusters that emerge above the foliage like a delicate bonus. Hardy and low-maintenance, it asks little and rewards with year-round golden texture.
Full Sun
Moderate
6-9
3in H x 12in W
—
High
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The real draw here is the foliage, not the flowers. Tiny golden leaves clothe every stem, creating a luminous mat that's genuinely striking as a ground cover or edging plant. Though it produces small purple flowers in spring, gardeners primarily grow 'Sunshine' for its unusual warm-toned texture and its near-complete freedom from insect or disease pressure. The compact habit (barely 1 inch tall) and slow spread make it easy to contain and place exactly where you want it.
Creeping Speedwell 'Sunshine' is grown for naturalization, where its low, spreading habit and golden foliage work well in rock gardens, alpine troughs, and as edging along pathways or borders. Its dense, mat-forming growth makes it excellent for softening hard edges and filling small spaces where taller perennials would overwhelm. It also thrives in containers, where its compact size and ornamental leaves can be appreciated up close.
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Transplant hardened-off seedlings or divisions outdoors after the last frost date when soil is workable. Space plants 3 to 12 inches apart depending on how quickly you want coverage, as the variety spreads gradually across that width range.
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