Overview
There are many species of speedwell – the genus Veronica, in the figwort or snapdragon family (Scrophulariaceae) – that are worthy garden plants. These species include some low-growing types that make excellent groundcovers.
Veronica species prefer a sunny spot in well-drained soil and do best in infertile, rocky soils. Because they do not tolerate wet conditions during the winter, use low-growing Veronica species in rock gardens, as a groundcovers in dry garden, in raised beds, and in trough gardens.
Planted between paving bricks or flagstone, they will fill in the cracks with attractive flowers and foliage. Use them to form a living carpet beneath dwarf conifers and as a filler creeping over rocks and between other taller plants. Flowering is best with limited water and full sun.
Plants can be sheared after flowering to keep them looking tidy. They are not favored by deer or rabbits.
Propagating Groundcover Veronica
Veronica species and seed propagated cultivars can be grown from seed sown in spring directly in the garden or indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last spring frost. Vegetative hybrids and cultivars are best propagated from cuttings taken in late spring and early summer, just after flowering. Rooting hormone may improve rooting success.
Species & Cultivars of Groundcover Veronica
Veronica caespitosa, dwarf speedwell, is native to Turkey. It is a very compact species, growing about 2 inches tall, with blue flowers. It is hardy to zone 4a.
Veronica filifolia, fern-leaved speedwell, grows 2 to 4 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide and produces light blue flowers in late spring and early summer. Plants are hardy in zones 4a to 9b.
Veronica oltensis, or thyme-leaf speedwell, is a very low-growing species with many different uses in the landscape. Native to rocky slopes at high altitudes in the rugged mountains of Turkey, this is a tough plant hardy in zones 4a to 9b. Thyme-leaf speedwell is slow-growing, long-lived, and drought tolerant, forming a mat up to 2 feet wide and less than an inch high. With its tiny, dark green leaves on trailing stems, this species resembles creeping thyme, but it is not fragrant. Pinnate, slightly hairy leaves cover the stems which reach upward as they trail. The evergreen plants always look nice but are particularly attractive when flowering. Small blue flowers cover the plant in bloom in late spring or early summer. The individual flowers are about 3/8 of an inch across and borne in erect racemes. Flower color ranges from sky blue to bright azure to dark violet blue. The almost-lacy-looking foliage has a delicate texture that contrasts nicely with many other plants.
Veronica prostrata (formerly V. rupestris), prostrate speedwell, is native to Europe and western Asia. It grows 6 to 8 inches tall with flowers in blue shades in late spring to early summer. Hardy in zones 4a to 9b.
Veronica liwanensis, Turkish speedwell, is a low-growing species with purplish-blue flowers in spring. Plants grow 1 to 2 inches tall and spread to 18 inches wide. This species is vigorous and quick-growing, with round, glossy evergreen leaves. The prostrate stems root as they elongate, forming a dense carpet. The small but numerous, bright blue flowers bloom in late spring but may also rebloom lightly later in the summer. This species was added to the Colorado Plant Select® program in 1997. It is hardy in zones 3a to 8b.
Veronica spicata ‘Blauteppich’ (sometimes listed as ‘Blue Carpet’ or ‘Nana’) is a seed cultivar introduced by German perennial seed company Jelitto in 1989. Plants grow 6 inches tall, with medium blue flowers. Hardy to zone 3a.
Veronica ‘Blue Reflection’ is a hybrid of V. liwanensis and V. pectinata introduced by High Country Gardens. It has the profuse, true-blue flowers of V. liwanensis and the heat tolerance and vigor of V. pectinata. It blooms a bit later than either parent. This plant grows 2 to 3 inches tall and fills in quickly, forming a dense mat. It is hardy in zones 4a to 9b.
Veronica CRYSTAL RIVER® (variety ‘Reavis’) is a hybrid of V. liwanensis and V. pectinata and was added to the Colorado Plant Select® program in 2003. It grows 2 to 3 inches tall and 20 to 30 inches wide, with evergreen foliage. Flowers are pale blue with white centers.
Veronica SNOWMASS® (variety ‘P018S’) was discovered at the Denver Botanic Gardens as a chance seedling. Its parentage is not fully known, but it is a hybrid of V. liwanensis and an unknown species. Plants grow 1 to 2 inches tall and 18 inches wide, with white flowers with light blue eyes. Hardy to zone 3a.
Author: Susan Mahr, University of Wisconsin—Madison
Reviewers: Allen R. Pyle, Horticulture Outreach Specialist, Bruce Spangenberg, Horticulture Outreach Specialist, UW—Madison Extension
Revised: July 2026
