{"product_id":"speedwell-bush-veronica-formosa","title":"Speedwell Bush - Veronica formosa","description":"\u003cp\u003eSpeedwell Bush (\u003cem\u003eVeronica formosa\u003c\/em\u003e) 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStarry blue-lilac flowers.\u003c\/strong\u003e The spikes open in late spring and early summer, with more flower in sun and less in shade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA native at home in the cold.\u003c\/strong\u003e It comes from Tasmania, so frost does not trouble it once it is established.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlexible about light.\u003c\/strong\u003e Part sun to shade suits it, which is useful in gardens where sunny positions are scarce.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHappy in most soils.\u003c\/strong\u003e Given moisture and drainage, it is not fussy about the ground it grows in.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eResponds well to pruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e A generous winter prune thickens mature plants, and a hard cut-back renews old, leggy ones.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeature shrub.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCottage and native gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e It mixes with other native shrubs and with perennials, and a drift planted 1.2m apart builds a loose, informal mass.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCool mountain and alpine-style gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e Frost, cold winters and moist soil are what it comes from, so it suits the cooler hills and highland gardens well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Speedwell Bush in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Moist, well-draining soil gives the best results, although it is happy in most soils. Mulch to keep the roots cool.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Cut mature shrubs back generously in winter to encourage bushier growth. A hard prune also renews older, leggy plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTube 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.\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-native-shrubs\"\u003eAustralian native shrubs\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=\"\/collections\/frost-hardy-plants\"\u003eFrost hardy plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/designing-a-native-australian-garden-to-attract-wildlife\"\u003eDesigning a native Australian garden to attract wildlife\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow big will it get?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhen should I prune it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn winter. Cutting mature shrubs back generously encourages bushier growth, and a hard prune renews old, leggy plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it flower in shade?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, but not as heavily. It flowers in spring and summer wherever it grows, with more flower in sun and less in shade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":67790891876671,"sku":"VER-FOR-tube","price":11.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/speedwell-bush-veronica-formosa.jpg?v=1792211474","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/speedwell-bush-veronica-formosa","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}