Veronica Hookeriana, commonly known as Hooker’s Speedwell, is a perennial herbaceous plant that belongs to the Plantaginaceae family. It is native to the Himalayan region and can be found in Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, and Pakistan. It is a popular garden plant because of its attractive blue-violet flowers that bloom in late spring and early summer.
Contents
Taxonomic Information
| Domain | Eukarya |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Spermatophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Lamiales |
| Family | Plantaginaceae |
| Genus | Veronica |
Appearance
Veronica Hookeriana grows up to 30-60 cm in height and spreads up to 30 cm wide. It has dark green, lance-shaped leaves that grow up to 10 cm long and 2 cm wide. Its flowers are small, blue-violet, and grow in dense spikes up to 5 cm long. They bloom in late spring and early summer and attract bees and butterflies.
Care Guide
Veronica Hookeriana is an easy-to-grow plant that requires minimal care.
- Water: It requires regular watering during the growing season. Keep the soil evenly moist, but not waterlogged.
- Fertilization: Apply a balanced fertilizer once a month during the growing season.
- Soil: It prefers well-drained, loamy soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH.
- Sunlight: It thrives in full sun to partial shade.
- Hardiness Zones: It is hardy in USDA zones 4-8.
Common Pests & Diseases
Veronica Hookeriana is generally pest and disease-free. However, it may occasionally be affected by spider mites, leaf miners, and powdery mildew.
Habitat
Veronica Hookeriana is native to the Himalayan region and can be found in Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, and Pakistan. It grows in open meadows, rocky slopes, and woodland edges at elevations up to 3,500 meters.
Question and Answer
Q: Is Veronica Hookeriana deer-resistant?
A: Yes, it is deer-resistant.
Q: Can Veronica Hookeriana be grown in containers?
A: Yes, it can be grown in containers as long as they are large enough to accommodate the plant’s root system.
Q: How often should Veronica Hookeriana be fertilized?
A: It should be fertilized once a month during the growing season.
Q: When is the best time to plant Veronica Hookeriana?
A: The best time to plant Veronica Hookeriana is in early spring or early fall when the soil is cool and moist.
Related Plants
- Veronica spicata (Spiked Speedwell)
- Veronica longifolia (Longleaf Speedwell)
- Veronica gentianoides (Gentian Speedwell)
- Veronica umbrosa (Shade Speedwell)
References
- Missouri Botanical Garden. (n.d.). Veronica hookeriana. Retrieved from https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=278133&isprofile=0&basic=veronica%20hookeriana
- RHS. (n.d.). Veronica hookeriana. Retrieved from https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/105637/Veronica-hookeriana/Details
- University of Illinois Extension. (n.d.). Speedwell. Retrieved from https://extension.illinois.edu/hortanswers/detailproblem.cfm?PathogenID=47
