Veronica

The genus includes about 300 annual or perennial herbaceous ground cover species that colonize any free area due to the formation of shoots. The flowers are white, blue, pink, blue, collected in corymbose, spike-shaped or capitate inflorescences. Leaves are lanceolate, oval, round or intermediate in shape, with a smooth or jagged edge. In addition to Veronica species, which are common weeds that are difficult to get rid of, there are many species that are ideal for curbs, mixborders (taller) and rocky gardens (stunted species). For example, Veronica teucrium, 20-70 cm high. Flowers painted in pink, blue and blue colors of various shades in inflorescences 6-8 cm long, formed in the axils of the apical leaves. Of the species for rocky gardens, Veronica ashy (V. cinerea) is widely known - in summer, flowers appear on it in short axillary brushes.

The genus includes about 300 annual or perennial herbaceous ground cover species that colonize any free area due to the formation of shoots. The flowers are white, blue, pink, blue, collected in corymbose, spike-shaped or capitate inflorescences. Leaves are lanceolate, oval, round or intermediate in shape, with a smooth or jagged edge. In addition to Veronica species, which are common weeds that are difficult to get rid of, there are many species that are ideal for curbs, mixborders (taller) and rocky gardens (stunted species).

For example, Veronica teucrium, 20-70 cm high. Flowers painted in pink, blue and blue colors of various shades in inflorescences 6-8 cm long, formed in the axils of the apical leaves.

Of the species for rocky gardens, Veronica ashy (V. cinerea) is widely known - in summer, flowers appear on it in short axillary brushes.

Cultivation

Curbs and species for rocky gardens are planted in a permanent place in autumn and early spring - in March. Border species require loose soil well-seasoned with organic fertilizers. Veronica for rocky gardens do not make such high demands on the quality of the soil.

Location

Species for rocky gardens require a lot of sun, curbs can easily tolerate partial shade.

Temperature

The most common types can withstand temperatures of -15 ° C and below. The optimum air temperature for the development of culture is in the range from 14 to 20 ° C.

Watering

Watering is carried out only in the spring-summer period before and during flowering.

Reproduction

Propagated by division, cuttings and seeds. The cuttings are rooted in a mixture of peat and sand (or perlite). Sprouted cuttings are transplanted into cups or mesh containers filled with a mixture of sand, turf and peat, taken in equal parts, or (if it is fertile, loose, and - necessarily - sterilized) with a higher relative content of turf. They are fed with full mineral fertilizer (at the rate of 20-30 g per bucket of water). At the end of winter, you can sow seeds in a covered area.

Diseases

Peronospora grisea provokes the appearance of light spots on the upper side of the leaves, on the reverse side these spots seem to be faded and covered with mold. Leaf spot also occurs with Septoria veronica caused by Septoria veronicae. The round spots are purple to chestnut colored. Subsequently, holes form in their place and the leaves fall off. All diseased leaves are usually removed. And from that, and from another disease get rid of treatment with copper-containing fungicides.

Acquisition

Seedlings are bought in the spring, as a rule, they are in mesh containers. Pay attention that there are no pests on the plants.