{"product_id":"derwent-speedwell-veronica-derwentiana-subsp-homalodonta","title":"Derwent Speedwell - Veronica derwentiana subsp. homalodonta","description":"\u003cp\u003eDerwent Speedwell (\u003cem\u003eVeronica derwentiana\u003c\/em\u003e subsp. \u003cem\u003ehomalodonta\u003c\/em\u003e) is an Australian native perennial with narrow green leaves and tall candelabra spikes of pale blue-lilac or white flowers in summer. It forms a bushy plant about 1.5m tall and wide, and it thrives under trees where many flowering plants sulk. The flowers open from the bottom of each spike upward, which stretches the display over many weeks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA long flowering season.\u003c\/strong\u003e Each spike opens from the base upward, so the show goes on for weeks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHappy in shade.\u003c\/strong\u003e It grows in dappled to full shade, including under trees, where flowers are hard to come by.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFrost hardy.\u003c\/strong\u003e It suits cold gardens and thrives in cooler climates, particularly in NSW, Tasmania and Victoria.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNative with cottage garden charm.\u003c\/strong\u003e It brings the upright, flowering look of a cottage perennial to a native garden.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRenews itself.\u003c\/strong\u003e Older leggy plants can be rejuvenated by hard pruning, so a tired plant is renewed rather than replaced.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUnder trees.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 1.2m apart in drifts beneath gums and other trees, where it copes with dappled shade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCottage and native gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e Use it at the middle of a border, where its tall spikes sit behind lower plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHerbaceous borders.\u003c\/strong\u003e It fits comfortably with other shade-loving perennials in a mixed bed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMoist gully-style plantings.\u003c\/strong\u003e In the wild it grows along riverbanks and gullies, so it suits damp, shaded corners.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Derwent Speedwell in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Dappled shade to full shade. It is frost hardy and thrives in the cooler climates of NSW, Tasmania, Victoria and the ACT, and it is less suited to hot, dry or tropical gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Moist, nutritious, well-draining soil, ideally a damp loam. Mulch to keep the roots cool and moist.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Mulch and water regularly until the plant is established, around 12 weeks, and water regularly through dry periods. Apply a slow release fertiliser in spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Older, leggy plants can be rejuvenated by hard pruning. Cut back after flowering to keep the clump tidy and bushy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDerwent Speedwell is sold as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. Tubes arrive upright and ready to plant, and with regular water they grow into a bushy clump within a season or two. Flowers follow in summer once the plant has settled in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/australian-natives\"\u003eBrowse Australian native plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-partial-shade\"\u003ePlants for partial shade\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/shade-gardening-with-brisbane-plant-nursery-guide\"\u003eShade gardening in Australia: what to plant where\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/creating-a-beautiful-cottage-garden-in-australia-insiders-guide\"\u003eHow to create a cottage garden\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it grow under gum trees?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, it will grow around gum trees. Keep it watered through dry spells, since tree roots compete for moisture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes it suit warm climates?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt thrives in the cooler climates of NSW, Tasmania and Victoria. In hot, dry or tropical gardens it is harder to keep happy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat if it gets leggy?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrune it hard. Older leggy plants can be rejuvenated this way, and fresh growth follows.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube","offer_id":67789643022655,"sku":"VER-DER-tube","price":21.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/derwent-speedwell-veronica-derwentiana-subsp-homalodonta.jpg?v=1792192730","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/derwent-speedwell-veronica-derwentiana-subsp-homalodonta","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}