Veronica peduncularis

Veronica peduncularis Georgia Blue

This is a very low-growing groundcover plant (ht 10 cm) from the Plantaginaceae family of plants, forming a mat of tiny leaves. In spring it bears dainty, bright blue saucer-shaped flowers. The cultivar I grow is called 'Georgia Blue' (syn. 'Oxford Blue' - it is often sold under this latter name). The species (which had white or pale blue flowers) is found naturally in Turkey, Caucasus and Ukraine; 'Georgia Blue' was discovered in the former USSR country of Georgia by Roy Lancaster in 1979. It grows quite successfully in our climate, whereas many similar sorts of groundcovers from Europe do not do so well. It needs a well-drained sunny position and can be trimmed back after blooming. It can cope with a small amount of shade. It is frost hardy. It is an effective carpet beneath the lime-green bracts of spring-flowering Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii or other shrubs. It can also be grown with other low-growing groundcovers to form a pretty tapestry effect - good companions include Sedum mexicanum 'Gold Mound', Campanula poscharskyana and golden oregano. It is easily propagated by detaching a rooted piece and growing this on in a pot - the lower parts of the stems take root on contact with the soil. Softwood or semi-ripe cuttings can also be taken.

This cultivar is the only Veronica that I have ever succeeded with in my Sydney garden!