Brooklime
Veronica beccabunga · Plantaginaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant brooklime: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen to semi-evergreen depending on climate
- Flowering
- April to September, blue or blue-violet flowers
- Adult size
- 20-40 cm tall, spreading-trailing habit
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Very hardy, down to -15°C
- Origin
- Europe, temperate Asia
- Natural habitat
- Watercourse edges, wet and marshy areas
- Soil type
- Rich in organic matter, constantly moist to wet
Care
Watering
Speedwell loves moisture and should never dry out completely. Water regularly, especially during active growth. In its natural habitat, it grows along watercourse edges: keep the soil constantly moist. During prolonged dry spells, increase watering frequency.
Light exposure
Place this plant in full sun to partial shade for optimal flowering. It also tolerates partially shaded areas. Avoid overly dry and windy spots that dry it out quickly.
Soil and planting
Rich, well-draining but constantly moist soil is ideal. Enrich the soil with compost or peat to maintain moisture. It thrives particularly at the edges of ponds, fountains or marshy areas in your garden.
Pruning and maintenance
Prune lightly after flowering to maintain compact, dense growth. Remove dead or damaged parts. Light spring pruning encourages branching and better coverage.
Fertilizing
Apply balanced fertilizer in spring when growth resumes. An annual application of compost or organic matter on the surface is generally sufficient. Avoid excess: this plant isn't a heavy feeder.
Pests and diseases
Generally robust and not very disease-prone. Powdery mildew can occur in warm, humid conditions; improve air circulation and reduce foliar watering. Check for aphids in spring.
Did you know?
Speedwell was once used in traditional herbal medicine under the name 'becabunga'. Its scientific name 'beccabunga' comes from the Dutch 'beek' (stream) and simply designates a stream plant. In Southeast Asia, tender young leaves are consumed as a vegetable in certain local cuisines, testament to its long relationship with riverside rural communities.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Ivy-leaved toadflaxCymbalaria muralis
- Spike speedwellVeronica spicata
- Heart-leaf Globe DaisyGlobularia cordifolia
- Talus slope penstemonPenstemon digitalis
- Coral plantRusselia equisetiformis
- Bunchleaf penstemonPenstemon heterophyllus
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.