Digging deeperPlant Library

Blue Woolly Speedwell flowers

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Other Names:  Woolly Speedwell

Description:

This woolly evergreen cover is an excellent xeriscaping groundcover, ideal for rockeries; the intense blue flowers cover the entire low mat-like carpet for a truly beautiful spring effect

Ornamental Features

Blue Woolly Speedwell has masses of beautiful spikes of royal blue flowers with white eyes rising above the foliage from late spring to mid summer, which are most effective when planted in groupings. Its attractive pointy leaves emerge silvery blue in spring, turning grayish green in color the rest of the year.

Landscape Attributes

Blue Woolly Speedwell is a dense herbaceous evergreen perennial with a ground-hugging habit of growth. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It is a good choice for attracting butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Blue Woolly Speedwell is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Rock/Alpine Gardens
• Border Edging
• General Garden Use
• Groundcover

Planting & Growing

Blue Woolly Speedwell will grow to be only 2 inches tall at maturity extending to 3 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 18 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 15 inches apart. Its foliage tends to remain low and dense right to the ground. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 8 years. As an evegreen perennial, this plant will typically keep its form and foliage year-round.

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in sandy soils. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This species is not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division.