Veronica chamaedrys - Germander Speedwell
| Family: | Scrophulariaceae |
| Habit: | Perennial |
| Height: | 0.5 |
| Synonyms: | |
| Range: | Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to Spain, north and western Asia. |
Germander Speedwell will flower in September to January. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Insects
Soil Information
Germander Speedwell will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important for the soil to be well drained.The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Germander Speedwell prefers moist soils
Ideal Planting Locations
Germander Speedwell can grow in semi or areas with no shade.A common plant of grassland, woods, hedges etc[1, 13].
Planting places suited to this plant described below.
- Grows within a woodland garden
- Grows on a sunny edge
- Works within dappled Shade
- Grows in a shady edge
- Planted in the lawn
- Suits a meadow
- Will grow in a hedge row
Cultivation Details
Easily grown in a moderately fertile moisture retentive well drained soil[200]. Prefers cool summers[200]. A good bee plant[24]. A common garden weed, it grows well in a lawn[200] and can be grown in the spring meadow[24]. It is also a good plant for the flower border[1].Edible Uses*
* See disclaimerEdible Rating: 1/5
The leaves are a tea substitute[177, 183].
- Leaves -
- Tea - the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.
Medicinal Uses*
* See disclaimerMedicinal Rating: 1/5
The herb is a blood purifier and vulnerary[4]. It is applied externally to skin diseases and is said to be an efficacious treatment for the itch[4]. Internally, an infusion of the leaves once had a good reputation in the treatment of coughs, asthma, catarrh etc[4].
- Blood purifier - Purifies the blood.
- Skin - Plants used in miscellaneous treatments for the skin.
- Vulnerary - Promotes the healing of wounds.
Propagation
Seed - sow autumn in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. If you have sufficient quantity, the seed can be sown in situ in the autumn or the spring. Division in autumn or spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer or the following spring.Known Hazards
None knownOther Uses
None knownCultivars
'' - There are some named forms for this species, but these have been developed for their ornamental value and not for their other uses. Unless you particularly require the special characteristics of any of these cultivars, we would generally recommend that you grow the natural species for its useful properties. We have, therefore, not listed the cultivars in this database[K].References
Flora of the British Isles.Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Author: Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Rating:
Publisher : A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
Date of Publication : 1962
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992
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