Austrian Speedwell Veronica austriaca subsp. teucrium 'Crater Lake Blue'
ABOUT
The plant known commonly as "Crater Lake Blue" is a charming perennial with a dense, mat-forming habit. Its foliage consists of numerous small, lance-shaped leaves that are a fresh green color, providing a lush background for the vibrant blossoms it produces. The leaves are often toothed at the margins and may have a slightly rough texture. The enchanting feature of "Crater Lake Blue" is its profusion of deep blue flowers that bloom in generous clusters atop sturdy stems, creating a striking contrast against the foliage. The blossoms have a tubular shape that flares open into a rounded, four-petaled formation, with each petal spreading out from the center like the blades of a tiny propeller. The center of the flowers usually has a lighter hue, sometimes displaying a white eye, which can attract pollinators. This perennial's blooming period is noteworthy for its duration, gracing gardens with its blue flowers through late spring to early summer. Its overall appearance with these flowers gives it a carpet-like effect that is often used to edge borders or blanket rock gardens, providing a splash of color that is reminiscent of the intense blue one might see reflected in Crater Lake itself.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Plantaginaceae
Synonyms
Austrian Speedwell, Teucrium Speedwell, Broadleaf Speedwell, Saw-Leaved Speedwell
Common names
Veronica teucrium 'Crater Lake Blue', Veronica austriaca 'Crater Lake Blue'
ToxicityTo humans
The plant commonly known as Austrian Speedwell is generally not considered toxic to humans. There are no well-documented cases of poisoning, and it is not known to contain compounds harmful to people. Consequently, ingesting parts of this plant is not expected to cause significant symptoms or consequences.
To pets
The Austrian Speedwell is not known to be toxic to pets. It is not listed as a plant that commonly causes poisoning in animals like cats and dogs, and there is no significant evidence to suggest that ingestion would lead to poisoning symptoms. Thus, if pets consume parts of this plant, they are unlikely to experience serious health consequences.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Blue
Height
1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters)
Spread
1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
4
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: Provides nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it is tolerant to dry conditions and requires minimal watering.
- Low Maintenance: Does not require frequent care aside from occasional deadheading to promote blooming.
- Deer and Rabbit Resistant: Its foliage is typically not appealing to deer and rabbits, reducing garden damage.
- Long Blooming Season: It flowers for an extended period from late spring to early summer, providing long-lasting color.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Offers striking blue flowers that add visual interest to garden beds and landscapes.
- Compact Growth: Suitable for small gardens or container planting due to its manageable size.
- Erosion Control: Can be used on slopes and banks to help stabilize soil and prevent erosion.
- Border Plant: Ideal for use as an edging plant due to its neat growth habit and colorful blooms.
- Ground Cover: Can be planted en masse to create a low-maintenance ground cover that suppresses weeds.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Artistic Dye: The bright blue flowers of 'Crater Lake Blue' can be used to create natural dyes for textiles or artwork, offering a unique shade of blue.
- Educational Tool: In botanical studies, the plant can be used to demonstrate plant morphology and pollinator interactions to students.
- Garden Design: Its vibrant color and structured growth habit make 'Crater Lake Blue' ideal for creating a visual rhythm or repetitive patterns in garden designs.
- Photography Subject: The vivid blue blooms and the contrast with the green foliage provide striking subjects for photographers, especially macro photography enthusiasts.
- Horticultural Research: Botanists and horticulturists can use this subspecies as a case study to research plant hardiness, growth patterns, and hybridization potential.
- Erosion Control: Owing to its sturdy growth, 'Crater Lake Blue' can help in soil stabilization on slopes and banks in gardens or landscaped areas.
- Culinary Garnish: While not widely known for its flavor, the flowers can be used as an eye-catching, edible garnish for culinary dishes.
- Floral Arrangements: The stems and blossoms are suitable for cut floral arrangements, providing a long-lasting, bright blue accent.
- Companion Planting: 'Crater Lake Blue' can be planted alongside vegetables in gardens to attract pollinators and thus improve the yield of vegetable crops.
- Wildlife Shelter: The dense growth of 'Crater Lake Blue' can offer shelter and nesting sites for small garden creatures and beneficial insects.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Austrian Speedwell is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Austrian Speedwell is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Fidelity: The common name for Veronica austriaca subsp. teucrium 'Crater Lake Blue' is Speedwell, which carries a connotation of faithfulness and enduring love, as its name suggests wishing someone well on their journey or life path.
- Healing: Historically, Speedwell was used in herbal remedies for various ailments, and the plant is thus associated with good health and healing.
- Protection: Speedwell was sometimes carried as an amulet to protect travelers, symbolizing safeguarding and security against harm.
- Endurance: As a plant that withstands various conditions and blooms beautifully, Speedwell symbolizes the ability to endure challenges and persevere through hardships.
WaterAustrian Speedwell, also known as 'Crater Lake Blue', should be watered deeply to ensure that the water reaches the root zone, typically one to two times per week depending on the weather and soil conditions. During the growing season, ensure that it receives approximately 1 inch of water weekly, which equates to about 0.6 gallons per square yard of soil. In periods of drought or extreme heat, increase watering frequency, but allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings to prevent waterlogging. Over the winter months, reduce watering significantly and only provide water if the soil becomes completely dry.
LightAustrian Speedwell, or 'Crater Lake Blue', thrives in full sun to partial shade. For optimal growth and flowering, plant it in a spot where it receives at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. If the plant is in an area with intense midday sun, it can benefit from light shading during the hottest part of the day to prevent scorching.
TemperatureAustrian Speedwell 'Crater Lake Blue' grows best in temperate climates and can generally withstand temperatures as low as 20°F and as high as 85°F. For ideal growth, maintaining temperatures between 60°F and 75°F is preferred. It is important to protect the plant from extreme cold and frost, which can damage the foliage and roots.
PruningPrune Austrian Speedwell 'Crater Lake Blue' to remove spent flower spikes and encourage a second bloom. Generally, this plant should be pruned in late winter or early spring to remove dead foliage and promote healthy new growth. Pruning can be done again after the first flush of flowers fades, by cutting back the flower stalks to just above a set of leaves. This can stimulate a second round of blooming in the summer.
CleaningAs needed
SoilAustrian Speedwell 'Crater Lake Blue' thrives in well-draining, loamy soil with moderate fertility and a neutral to slightly alkaline pH of 6.5 to 7.5. A mix of two parts garden soil, one part sand, and one part compost is recommended to provide a good balance of drainage and nutrient retention.
RepottingAustrian Speedwell 'Crater Lake Blue' typically does not require frequent repotting and can be done every 2-3 years or when it outgrows its current container. Ensure good drainage in the new pot.
Humidity & MistingAustrian Speedwell 'Crater Lake Blue' is adaptable to a wide range of humidity levels and does not require high humidity; it thrives in average outdoor conditions, so striving for a specific humidity level indoors is generally not necessary.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Ensure bright indirect light and well-draining soil mix.
Outdoor
Plant in sunny spot with well-draining soil; mulch optional.
Hardiness zone
4-8 USDA
Life cycleThis perennial herbaceous plant, commonly known as Austrian Speedwell or 'Crater Lake Blue,' begins its life as a seed that, when sown in fertile, well-draining soil, germinates within 2-3 weeks under appropriate warm and moist conditions. Once germinated, it progresses into the seedling stage, developing its first true leaves and establishing a root system. As it matures, 'Crater Lake Blue' enters a vegetative state where numerous leaves and stems form a dense clump, reaching up to 12-18 inches in height and spreading outward. The plant then enters the flowering stage in late spring to early summer, producing vivid blue flowers that attract pollinators and are followed by seed capsules once pollination occurs. After the flowering period, the plant often goes semi-dormant in hotter summer climates, experiencing reduced growth until cooler temperatures return. Finally, as winter approaches, 'Crater Lake Blue' enters a phase of dormancy, with above-ground growth dying back and the plant relying on its root system to survive the winter until the cycle starts anew in the spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to early summer
The most popular method of propagating Veronica austriaca subsp. teucrium 'Crater Lake Blue', commonly known as Austrian Speedwell or Hungarian Speedwell, is through seed. Sow the seed in late winter to early spring, by spreading them thinly on the surface of a well-draining, seed starting mix. The seeds require light to germinate, so they should not be covered but only gently pressed into the soil. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, and maintain a temperature of around 65-70°F (18-21°C). Germination usually occurs within 2-4 weeks. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, they should be transplanted into individual pots and allowed to grow on before planting out after the risk of frost has passed.
