Veronica austriaca 'KNALLBLAU'

Austrian speedwell is a low-maintenance, blue forming perennial from European meadows and dry slopes. Apart from removing all stems from previous year it requires no care, watering or fertilizing – an ideal plant for a neglected garden.

Knallblau is a charming variety of Austrian speedwell with rich sky blue to indigo blue flowers attractive especially to bumble bees and butterflies. They are composed in spike-like, erect racemes atop 30-40 cm tall stems. They are produced from late May for 6-10 weeks - the older and more established the plant is the longer flowering period you can expect. Deciduous leaves are similar to those on blueberads – broadly oval to narrowly heart-shaped, fresh green, serrated at margins, and glossy.

Knallblau speedwell makes dense, upright, profusely flowering tufts some 30-40 cm wide. If you cut it back after flowering to 5-7 cm above ground it will produce fresh new leaves in a compact cushion and very probably some flowers in late summer.

Speedwell is widely soil adaptable. Just avoid heavy clay and wet or boggy soil. It does best in well-drained, neutral to chalk-based soil in full sun, though it can live in partial shade, too. Occasional watering in dry summers will help it look better but is not a must. Fully hardy to min. -29°C (USDA zone 5).

Last update 07-06-2019