Garden blues that will make you very happy

In recent weeks, I have been looking at plants as they come into flower in my garden. The latest to show its delightful spikes in blue and pink is the Veronica, often called Speedwell, which is a favourite perennial border plant that will flower through to autumn.

It is a great plant for attracting bees and butterflies and with its tall flower spikes and deep green foliage is an excellent accent plant. Veronica blooms for an unusually long time for a perennial.

There are about 500 species of Veronica making it the largest genus in the flowering plant Plantaginaceae. The species are herbaceous annuals or perennials that are easy to grow. Veronicas begin flowering in early summer and continue for a long time through autumn. They come in different sizes and types, ranging from small ground huggers to taller clump forming ones with impressive flower.

Gardeners who love the colour blue know that veronica provides some of the clearest, truest blues in the perennial border. Other flower colours are also available, including pink, rose and white. Veronicas have flower spikes that are composed of dozens of densely arranged, small florets, that open progressively from the base upwards to form a long lasting spike.

Although low-growing varieties are available, the most common veronicas form attractive 30cm to 90cm tall mounds. Narrow spikes of tiny flowers adorn the plant in midsummer and are superb in bouquets.

The tall varieties of Veronica grow in clumps so are well-behaved in the flower garden, while ground covers will spread and fill in an area. The tall varieties will need staking.

The lower spreading varieties seldom exceed 10cm in height and are a very good groundcover addition in your garden.

Veronica can be a workhorse in the cut flower garden; it will provide a full second crop of stems if cut down completely to the ground after the first harvest.

Veronica likes full sun in well-drained soil, and although it will tolerate some shade, the stems may flop a bit in that environment.

Deadhead spent blossoms to encourage more blooms and extend the flowering time. When deadheading, cut back the flower head to a side branch to create a sturdier stem to regrow that is less likely to flop over. Divide Veronica in spring every few years to rejuvenate the plants and to produce new plants to replant elsewhere or give away.

Grow tall varieties of Veronica with other cottage garden plants, such as salvia, coreopsis and sedum. Grow creeping varieties in the front of a perennial flower border or in a rock garden to cascade over a wall.