Veronica is a very versatile plant that is found almost worldwide. In Germany there are around 50 native species that grow wild. In the garden, speedwell is often grown in perennial beds because of its pretty flowers. The Honorary Prize – a profile.
What is the speedwell price for a plant?
The speedwell (Veronica) is a genus of plants with around 450 species worldwide, 50 of which are native to Germany. Their characteristics include a height of 20-30 cm, flowers in blue, purple, pink or white and a wide range of uses in gardens, medicinal medicine or kitchen.
Honorary Award – a profile
- Botanical name: Veronica
- popular names: loyal to men, cunning to women
- Family: Plantain family
- Species worldwide: 450
- Native species: 50
- natural occurrences: under hedges, bushes, in meadows
- Annual/perennial: depending on the variety
- Height: 20 to 30 cm, perennials also up to 180 cm
- Flower: fourfold petals, two stamens
- Flower color: blue, violet, pink, white
- Flowering time: April to autumn depending on the variety
- Toxicity: not poisonous
- Use as an ornamental plant: perennial beds
- Use as a medicinal plant: internally and externally for various ailments
Popular Central European varieties
- Gamander Speedwell
- Grand Honor Award
- Ancient Honor Award
- Persian Speedwell
- Ivy Speedwell
Honorary Award for the Garden
Veronica is very popular as a perennial in the garden. The speedwell (Veronica spicata) plays an important role here.
“Bright Blue” and “Royal Blue” are two speedwell varieties that stand out due to their strong blue color. “Fascination”, which is particularly decorative thanks to its inflorescences up to 150 cm high, is also popular. “Pink Tones” remains significantly shorter at 80 cm, but shows very beautiful pink flowers.
The species, often commercially available under the name Hebe or shrub veronika, comes from New Zealand. It is not hardy or only partially hardy.
Use in medicinal medicine and cuisine
The plant owes its name to its ingredients, which include essential oils, lactic acid, bitter substances, resins, saponins and tannins. First and foremost, the variety (Veronica officinalis) is mentioned. It has been used for centuries for a wide variety of ailments such as rheumatism, gout, gynecological problems and liver problems. Today, Ehrenpreis no longer plays a significant role in natural medicine.
Wild speedwell is collected for the kitchen. There the flowering herb is used for salads and as a seasoning. It has a tart aromatic taste.
The perennials offered for the garden are not suitable for use as medicine or in the kitchen because they hardly contain any ingredients.
Tip
In older botanical works, speedwell is one of the brown growth plants. Due to new findings, Veronica is now classified as a member of the plantain family.