Biological Name:
Veronica spp. (Speedwell)
Natural Habitat:
Speedwell: This plant is native to North America and can be found in a variety of habitats, including fields, roadsides, and waste areas.
Description:
Speedwell also known as Veronica is a plant that is native to grassland and prairie regions of North America. It is an annual herb that can grow up to two feet tall and it has small oval-shaped leaves and small blue or white flowers that bloom in the spring. The plant is known for its small delicate flowers and it is often used as an ornamental plant in gardens and landscapes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is Speedwell plant invasive?
A: Often found in neglected lawns, disturbed soil, and shaded areas, corn or common speedwell (Veronica arvensis) is one to watch. It’s also known as gypsyweed or veronica. Generally, this invasive plant features four-petaled white, blue, or purplish small flowers; heart-shaped seed pods; and numerous small lobed leaves.
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Q: Is speedwell a good ground cover?
A: This is a vigorous, fast-growing species that thrive in difficult climates. The ground-hugging stems of round, glossy evergreen leaves, root as they creep across the garden, creating a thick green carpet. Veronica liwanensis (Turkish Speedwell) can be used like thyme to create a ground cover “lawn””.”
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Q: Are speedwell plants poisonous to dogs?
A: According to gardening expert Bryan McKenzie of The Bumper Crop Times, speedwell is edible for humans and pets, but eating too much may cause vomiting.
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Q: Do you cut back speedwell for the winter?
A: Cutting Back Speedwell For Winter Pruning should be done either in the fall or early in the spring, depending on your hardiness zone. At the lower end of its growing range, you should cut back the top growth as it begins to die back in the fall. Cut down foliage on stems to within 2 inches of the soil.
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Q: What is Speedwell good for?
A: Speedwell is commonly used to treat coughs and other respiratory diseases. It is also appropriate for inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and rheumatism, digestive problems like diarrhea, and a gargle to treat sore throat.
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Q: Is speedwell poisonous to humans?
A: Is Veronica ‘Marietta’ poisonous? Veronica ‘Marietta’ has no toxic effects reported.
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Q: Do butterflies like speedwell?
A: Veronica (Speedwell) comes in a wide variety of heights for you to choose from—but they are all easy and undemanding to grow. These perennials prefer full sun and average, well–drained soil. Veronica plants are deer resistant, drought tolerant and attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
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Q: Do hummingbirds like speedwell?
A: Veronica | Speedwell Veronica (Speedwell) comes in a wide variety of heights for you to choose from—but they are all easy and undemanding to grow. These perennials prefer full sun and average, well–drained soil. Veronica plants are deer resistant, drought tolerant and attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
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Q: Why is speedwell called Veronica?
A: Etymology. Speedwells were considered lucky charms, their sight speeding travellers on their way. Veronica, the genus name, probably comes from the Latin adjective vera- meaning true, and -nica meaning image.
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Q: Is Speedwell a problem?
A: It is often a problem weed in lawns during spring and summer. Common speedwell (Figure 1) is distinguished by its very slender stems, small leaves and small bluish-white flowers. The stems are almost horizontal, much branched, hairy and root at the nodes (a). The leaves are small (1.0 to 2.4 in.
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Q: Should speedwell be cut back?
A: Speedwell (Veronica spicata) As blooms fade in fall, this perennial can be cut back to the ground. If left until spring, the black foliage will uglify your gardens. Speedwell grows best in USDA zones 3 through 8.
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Q: What is the difference between Veronica and speedwell?
A: Veronica, also called Speedwell, is a carefree and easy-to-grow perennial with long spikes of small petals in purple, blue, pink, or white. Here’s how to grow veronica in your garden! This attractive plant grows in clusters from 1 to 3 feet tall, and blooms from spring to autumn.
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Q: Is speedwell poisonous to dogs?
A: According to gardening expert Bryan McKenzie of The Bumper Crop Times, speedwell is edible for humans and pets, but eating too much may cause vomiting.
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Q: Is speedwell the same as creeping Charlie?
A: Creeping Charlie is sometimes mistaken for speedwell and henbit. Henbit shares creeping Charlie’s square, mint-family stems, but neither henbit nor speedwell creep and root.
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Q: How do I get rid of speedwell in my yard?
A: Prevalence of corn speedwell can be reduced by increasing turf density through nitrogen fertilization, regular mowing, and the use of turfgrasses well-adapted to site conditions. This weed can be suppressed or controlled with various preemergence and postemergence herbicides.
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Q: Do speedwell plants attract butterflies?
A: Veronica (Speedwell) comes in a wide variety of heights for you to choose from—but they are all easy and undemanding to grow. These perennials prefer full sun and average, well–drained soil. Veronica plants are deer resistant, drought tolerant and attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
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Q: Is Speedwell a shade or sun?
A: Speedwell does best in a full sun location, but it will tolerate some partial shade.
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Q: Does Speedwell bloom all summer long?
A: The plant has a long blooming season, from June to August, and is fairly pest and disease resistant as well, with the exception of some issues like powdery mildew, spider mites, and thrips.
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Q: What is the difference between Speedwell and Veronica?
A: Veronica, also called Speedwell, is a carefree and easy-to-grow perennial with long spikes of small petals in purple, blue, pink, or white. Here’s how to grow veronica in your garden! This attractive plant grows in clusters from 1 to 3 feet tall, and blooms from spring to autumn.
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Q: Is Speedwell toxic to dogs?
A: The scientific name for ornamental Speedwell is Veronica spicata. The Veronica genus of plants includes over 500 varieties, with the majority of those being edible or at the very least non-toxic to humans. According to the ASPCA, this plant is also considered to be non-toxic for cats, dogs and livestock.
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Q: Is Speedwell a groundcover?
A: Featuring white and blue flowers, creeping speedwell or Veronica filiformis is a low-growing perennial if you’re looking for an easy-to-maintain ground cover option. Forming a dense mat on lawns, this low-growing plant remains evergreen and blooms from April to July.
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