Scientific name: Veronica pectinata
Common name: wooly speedwell
Family: Plantaginaceae – Plantain
Photo by Meredith Yue
Article by Susan Bruneni
One of the featured selections at this year’s Santa Fe Botanical Garden plant sale is Veronica pectinata, or wooly speedwell. Examples of all plants featured at the sale are growing at Botanical Garden sites, assuring that they are suitable for gardens throughout the Santa Fe area. Veronica pectinata is featured at the Museum Hill site.
Veronica is the largest genus in the flowering plant family Plantaginaceae, with about 500 species. Plants within the genus range in height from ground covers to plants several feet high.
Veronica pectinata is low growing, usually two-three inches in height and spreading to 18 inches. Foliage is spiked and hairy. This evergreen perennial is covered with tiny saucer-shaped violet flowers from early to mid spring. It prefers full sun but can tolerate some afternoon shade. After blooms are spent, the foliage continues to function as a groundcover and can be mowed if necessary without harm to the plant. It is drought-tolerant, an excellent addition to xeriscape gardens. It can be divided and transplanted in spring or early autumn.
This groundcover is excellent for rock gardens, edging, and will trail over borders. It is deer and rabbit resistant and will grow above 7000 feet elevation.
