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Winter Speedwell Veronica persica

Phonetic Spelling
veh-RON-ih-kah PER-see-kuh
Description

Birdeye Speedwell is a weedy annual native to Eurasia but has naturalized throughout North America. It prefers partial to full sun, moist conditions, and rich loamy soil but is adaptable to poor soil. Most vegetative growth and development occurs during the cool weather of late winter or early spring. It blooms winter through early summer depending on the region and reproduces by seed. It is found in lawns, fields, gardens and other disturbed soil areas.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Tidal Pool'
    Blue petals with white center
'Tidal Pool'
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#blue flowers#winter interest#winter annual weed#spreading#winter flowers#partial shade tolerant#HS302#lawn planting#annual#weed#hs303
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Tidal Pool'
    Blue petals with white center
'Tidal Pool'
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#blue flowers#winter interest#winter annual weed#spreading#winter flowers#partial shade tolerant#HS302#lawn planting#annual#weed#hs303
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Veronica
    Species:
    persica
    Family:
    Plantaginaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Europe, Asia
    Distribution:
    Most of North America
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 4 in. - 0 ft. 8 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 4 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Weed
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Horizontal
    Prostrate
    Spreading
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Wet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Green
    Fruit Description:
    Heart shaped fruit divided into two lobes containing 5-10 seeds per lobe.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Winter
    Flower Shape:
    Saucer
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    1/3 inch small sky blue flower with dark stripes and a white center on thin, long, hairy stalks that originate in the axils of leaves. Green bracts have hairs.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Crenate
    Dentate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Opposite oval leaves on the lower portion and alternate leaves on the upper portion. Leaves are up to 1/2" long and 1/3" across and are medium to dark green and slightly hairy with short stems.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Reddish stems are hairy, prostrate with the ends growing upright.
  • Landscape:
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Problems:
    Weedy