Flowers for the garden
Steller's veronica
Veronica stelleri
Synonyms: Veronica wormskjoldii var. stelleri (Pall. ex Schrad. & Link) S.L. Welsh
Steller's veronica (Veronica stelleri Pallas ex Link) – a species of the genus Veronica in the plantain family (Plantaginaceae). The species was first described by Peter Simon Pallas and Heinrich Friedrich Link in "K. P. J. Sprengel et al., Jahrb. Gewächsk. 3:40." in 1820.
In nature it occurs in Russia (Far East), Japan (the islands of Hokkaido and Honshu: northern and central parts), and North America (the Aleutian Islands, the Pribilof Islands, Alaska (Aleutian Range)). It is found on dry slopes, moraines, and alpine meadows. It rises to 2200–2700 m above sea level.
A perennial herbaceous plant with a creeping, sparsely branched rhizome. Stems 5–25 cm high, ascending, erect, simple, covered with short hairs.
Leaves sessile, in 4–7 pairs, opposite, clustered, ovate in shape, 1.5–3 cm long and 1–2 cm wide, distinctly toothed or serrated, covered with sparse hairs.
Veronica stelleri var. longistyla Kitag.
Inflorescences are located at the ends of shoots, initially umbel-like or spike-like and dense, later elongating and lax, rarely with few flowers; pedicels are 3–5 times longer than the flowers. The calyx has lanceolate acute teeth equal to half or a third of the entire calyx. The corolla is blue or violet, subdued in color, up to 8 mm in diameter. The corolla tube is shorter than the limb.
The stamens protrude beyond the calyx. Flowering occurs from June to September.
The capsule is dry, brownish, obovoid, strongly flattened, 6 mm long and 4 mm wide, covered with glandular hairs. Seeds are ovoid-spherical, flattened, slightly convex on both sides, up to 1 mm in diameter.
Subspecies:
- Veronica stelleri var. longistyla Kitag.
- Veronica stelleri var. stelleri
- Veronica stelleri var. Glabrescens
- Veronica stelleri ssp. Nipponica
- Veronica stelleri var. shinano-alpina
Cultivars: 'Mann's Variety'
Hardiness zone: 3a (-40°C).
Exposure: Prefers full sun but is shade-tolerant.
Soil: prefers dry, rocky, light, calcareous soil. Drought-tolerant.
Care: Practically requires no maintenance. Cut back shoots after flowering. Does not require winter shelter.
Propagation: propagated vegetatively (cuttings), by division, or by seed. Sow seeds in autumn or spring. Plants grown from seed flower in the second year. Take cuttings in May or June.
Pests: gall midge Dasyneura veronicae, mites Anceria anceps.
Diseases: raspberry ring spot, mycorrhiza.
Uses: used for rock gardens and creating mixed borders. Looks effective in flower beds.