Veronica franciscana
Veronica franciscana · Plantaginaceae
📷 Alvesgaspar · CC BY-SA 3.0
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant veronica franciscana: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Scientific name
- Veronica franciscana
- Family
- Plantaginaceae
- Plant type
- Perennial herbaceous
- Adult height
- 40 cm
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Flowering
- May to July
- Ideal exposure
- Full sun
- Origin
- California (United States)
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Keep Veronica franciscana compact and floriferous by pinching it regularly (May and July). It prefers well-drained soil: if your soil is heavy, add sand at planting time.
The common mistake
Not pinching at all and letting it stretch out: it becomes leggy, sparse flowering, disorganized appearance after a year.
The pro's trick
Pinch the top every 15 days from May to end of June: you'll get a tight little ball and extremely abundant flowering, without any chemical intervention.
Seasonal watch
September-October: check that winter moisture doesn't stay stagnant in the heart of the plant.
Care
Exposure
San Francisco speedwell demands full sun to thrive and produce generous flowering. Install it in a location receiving at least 6 hours of direct daily sunlight. This plant tolerates shade poorly and flowers sparsely in shadier conditions.
Watering
Water regularly during the growth and flowering periods, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged. Once established, the plant will tolerate dry spells better. Reduce watering in autumn and winter, allowing the soil to dry between waterings.
Soil
Prefer well-drained, light soil, ideally poor to moderately fertile. San Francisco speedwell dreads waterlogging and appreciates rocky or sandy substrates. Improve heavy soil with sand or gravel to prevent root rot.
Pruning and pinching
Pinch young plants in spring to encourage compact growth and fuller branching. Remove spent flowers regularly to extend blooming. You can lightly cut back the plant after flowering to rejuvenate it and maintain its shape.
Fertilizing
A moderate, balanced fertilizer application in spring is generally sufficient. Avoid excess nitrogen, which promotes foliage at the expense of flowering. A plant in poor soil will need only light supplementation.
Diseases and pests
This plant is generally robust and little affected by pests. Ensure optimal drainage to prevent fungal diseases linked to moisture. In overly humid conditions, provide good air circulation and reduce watering.
Did you know?
San Francisco speedwell is native to the coasts and hills of the Mediterranean climate of California, where it thrives in semi-arid environments. Its scientific name pays tribute to the San Francisco region, although the species is also found in other coastal areas of Southern California. It's a prized plant in American xeriscape gardens for its water frugality and prolonged flowering.
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
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- Coral plantRusselia equisetiformis
- Bunchleaf penstemonPenstemon heterophyllus
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.