Veronica Georgia Blue

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The rich blue flowers of Veronica Georgia Blue smother the lush backdrop of deep green glossy foliage. The flowers have white eyes and the leaf tips are tinged with burgundy and copper overtones. Burgundy tones will intensify during the cooler months. Great for a slope, even in the south. An impressive evergreen groundcover.

Culture

Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun. Avoid wet, poorly drained soils. Plants may be sheared after flowering to revitalize and to encourage new foliage growth. May not be reliably winter hardy throughout the St. Louis area where consideration should be give to siting plants in sheltered locations.

'Georgia Blue' should be grown in a protected location and given a good winter mulch if grown in the St. Louis area since it is only winter hardy to Zone 6.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Veronica peduncularis is native to the Caucusus, Ukraine and western Asia. It is a low-growing perennial that typically forms a dense foliage mat to only 4-6” tall, spreading indefinitely outward by prostrate to ascending stems. Foliage mound is covered with saucer-shaped, pink-veined, white flowers in short, loose, axillary racemes from late spring to early summer. After the main flush of bloom, a sparse, intermittent rebloom may continue throughout the remaining part of the summer. Ovate to oblong, toothed to pinnatifid, medium green leaves (to 1” long).

Genus name honors Saint Veronica who reportedly gave a handkerchief to Jesus so he could wipe sweat from his face on the way to Calvary, with some genus plants having markings that resemble the markings on the sacred handkerchief.

Specific epithet means with a flower stalk or peduncle.

'Georgia Blue' grows to 8" tall and features spires of tiny, round, blue flowers which bloom in late April-May. May rebloom intermittently throughout the summer. Foliage is reddish-green in spring turning to deep green in summer and finally turning bronze in fall.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems.

Garden Uses

Rock gardens or border fronts. Ground cover.