Speedwell Bush

Speedwell Bush (Veronica formosa) is a Tasmanian native shrub that carries clusters of pale purple-blue flower spikes in late spring and early summer. Its size depends on where it grows: anything from a compact half metre to an exuberant two metres tall, and one to two metres wide. It is a feature plant for cool, moist gardens, and it grows in sun or shade.

Why you'll love it

• Starry blue-lilac flowers. The spikes open in late spring and early summer, with more flower in sun and less in shade.
• A native at home in the cold. It comes from Tasmania, so frost does not trouble it once it is established.
• Flexible about light. Part sun to shade suits it, which is useful in gardens where sunny positions are scarce.
• Happy in most soils. Given moisture and drainage, it is not fussy about the ground it grows in.
• Responds well to pruning. A generous winter prune thickens mature plants, and a hard cut-back renews old, leggy ones.

Where it works best

Feature shrub. Plant it on its own where its narrow green leaves, set in a cross around the stem, and its flower spikes can be seen. Give it at least a metre of space on each side.

Cottage and native gardens. It mixes with other native shrubs and with perennials, and a drift planted 1.2m apart builds a loose, informal mass.

Cool mountain and alpine-style gardens. Frost, cold winters and moist soil are what it comes from, so it suits the cooler hills and highland gardens well.

Growing Speedwell Bush in Australia

Position and climate. Part sun to shade; flowering is heaviest in more sun. It is frost tolerant once established and does best in cool temperate and cooler warm temperate gardens. It comes from Tasmania, so long humid heat is not its home, and in subtropical and tropical gardens other plants are a safer choice.

Soil. Moist, well-draining soil gives the best results, although it is happy in most soils. Mulch to keep the roots cool.

Water and feed. Mulch the bed and water regularly for around 12 weeks while the plant establishes, and keep it watered through dry periods. Feed with a slow release fertiliser in spring.

Pruning. Cut mature shrubs back generously in winter to encourage bushier growth. A hard prune also renews older, leggy plants.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Speedwell Bush as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. It arrives as a small shrub that fills out over its first one or two seasons, so plan for the eventual size, which can be anywhere between 0.5m and 2m. Plants travel upright, so unpack them promptly and water them in.

Tube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. When the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out on the page, and the notify button emails you the day it is back.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Australian native shrubs
• Plants for partial shade
• Frost hardy plants
• Designing a native Australian garden to attract wildlife

Common questions

How big will it get?

That depends on the conditions. It can stay a compact 0.5m or reach 2m tall, and 1m to 2m wide, so allow room for the larger size and prune to keep it smaller.

When should I prune it?

In winter. Cutting mature shrubs back generously encourages bushier growth, and a hard prune renews old, leggy plants.

Will it flower in shade?

Yes, but not as heavily. It flowers in spring and summer wherever it grows, with more flower in sun and less in shade.