{"id":150795,"date":"2025-07-30T16:37:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-30T21:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/?p=150795"},"modified":"2025-07-30T14:51:42","modified_gmt":"2025-07-30T19:51:42","slug":"lafayette-county-master-gardeners-veronica","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/lafayette-county-master-gardeners-veronica\/","title":{"rendered":"Lafayette County Master Gardeners: &#8220;Veronica&#8221;"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">by Bronwynne Bailey<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Veronica (<em>Veronica spicata<\/em>) originates from Russia and Europe. Veronica americana (also known as American speedwell or American brooklime) is native to North America. It is attractive to humming birds, bees, and butterflies and it blooms from spring until fall. Veronica makes a long-lasting cut flower. There are more than 500 varieties of veronica.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Do not confuse <em>Veronica liwanensis<\/em>, which is a creeping variety, like a ground cover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><br><strong>Colors and Varieties<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><em>VERONICA Moody Blues\u00ae Mauve Improved V. <\/em><\/strong>&#8211; an intense purple with intermittent bursts of flowers along the spike\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><em>VERONICA \u2018Aspire\u2019<\/em><\/strong>&#8211; a pleasant pink shade<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><em>VERONICA Venture&#x2122; Blue <\/em><\/strong>&#8211; an intense bright blue color\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><em>VERONICA Skyward Pink <\/em><\/strong>&#8211; a softer pastel pink\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><em>VERONICA Moody Blues\u00ae Dark Blue Improved <\/em><\/strong>&#8211;<strong><em> <\/em><\/strong>a softer blue color\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-fe9cc265 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"418\" data-id=\"140844\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/2023-10-31-Bronwynne.jpg?resize=640%2C418\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-140844\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/2023-10-31-Bronwynne.jpg?w=996&amp;ssl=1 996w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/2023-10-31-Bronwynne.jpg?resize=300%2C196&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/2023-10-31-Bronwynne.jpg?resize=768%2C501&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/garden-extension.png\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"463\" height=\"178\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/garden-extension.png?resize=463%2C178\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-140850\" style=\"width:351px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/garden-extension.png?w=463&amp;ssl=1 463w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/garden-extension.png?resize=300%2C115&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 463px) 100vw, 463px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/darwin-veronica.jpeg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" data-id=\"150798\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/darwin-veronica.jpeg?resize=300%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-150798\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/darwin-veronica.jpeg?w=300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/darwin-veronica.jpeg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong><em>VERONICA Moody Blues\u00ae Mauve Improved V.<\/em><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Veronica-Aspire.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" data-id=\"150799\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Veronica-Aspire.jpg?resize=300%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-150799\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Veronica-Aspire.jpg?w=300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Veronica-Aspire.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong><em>VERONICA \u2018Aspire\u2019<\/em><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Veronica-Venture-Blue-2-300x300-1.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" data-id=\"150800\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Veronica-Venture-Blue-2-300x300-1.jpg?resize=300%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-150800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Veronica-Venture-Blue-2-300x300-1.jpg?w=300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Veronica-Venture-Blue-2-300x300-1.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong><em>VERONICA Venture&#x2122; Blue<\/em><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Growth Habits<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Veronica (also called speedwell) is a perennial in zones four through eight. This plant has become more prominent in southern gardens since 1993 when <strong>Sunny Border Blue <\/strong>was the Perennial Plant of the Year. Veronica, a relative of the snapdragon, produces a lovely plume of blossoms in pink, white, blue, or purple. Reaching up to two feet high, this hardy plant tolerates freezing temperatures and hot sultry summers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Soil Preferences<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>While it tolerates a wide variety of soil conditions and textures, make sure the planting bed has a well-drained soil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Planting Depth &amp; Spacing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Insert plants at the height of the container.\u00a0 This plant flowers best in full sun but will tolerate afternoon shade. Plant 12 to 24 inches apart depending on variety. In fall, cut down to woody base of plant and cover with two inches of mulch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Watering<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>During dry spells, water with an inch of water weekly in summer. Once established, the plant is drought tolerant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Fertilizing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Fertilize in March and July with a slow-release 12-6-6 fertilizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Pruning<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Deadheading (removing spent flowers) is essential to promote blooms and minimize leggy, straggling plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Pests<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This plant is resistant to deer and pests. It is very susceptible to root rot. Avoid placing the plant along the most intense sections of your water irrigation system. If receiving less than six hours of sun, the plant is susceptible to powdery mildew and other fungal diseases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Propagation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Divide every three or four years when new growth emerges in spring.\u00a0<br>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/TheLocalVoiceLigature-25web.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"25\" height=\"16\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/TheLocalVoiceLigature-25web.jpg?resize=25%2C16\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14544\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>by Bronwynne Bailey Veronica (Veronica spicata) originates from Russia and Europe. Veronica americana (also known as American speedwell<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":123476,"featured_media":150797,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[27287],"tags":[24673,5863,6153,25159,5,642,4,32284],"class_list":["post-150795","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gardening","tag-bronwynne-bailey","tag-garden","tag-lafayette-county-master-gardeners","tag-master-gardeners","tag-mississippi","tag-ms","tag-oxford","tag-veronica"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/AdobeStock_veronica-scaled.jpeg?fit=2560%2C1707&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/150795","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/123476"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=150795"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/150795\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":150801,"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/150795\/revisions\/150801"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/150797"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=150795"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=150795"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=150795"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}