Broadleaf Speedwell: A European Charmer for Your Garden
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance perennial that produces cheerful blue flowers and spreads into a lovely carpet, broadleaf speedwell (Veronica austriaca teucrium) might catch your eye. This European native has made itself quite at home in North American gardens, though it comes with both benefits and considerations worth exploring.
What Is Broadleaf Speedwell?
Broadleaf speedwell is a perennial forb – basically a non-woody flowering plant that comes back year after year. You might also see it listed under its botanical synonyms like Veronica teucrium or Veronica latifolia in older gardening references. This mat-forming plant stays relatively low to the ground and spreads outward, creating dense patches of attractive foliage topped with spikes of small, vibrant flowers.
Where You’ll Find It Growing
Originally from Europe and western Asia, broadleaf speedwell has established itself across much of North America. You can find it growing in states and provinces from coast to coast, including Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and throughout much of the northeastern and midwestern United States, from Maine down to Maryland and west to South Dakota and Wisconsin.
The Appeal Factor
What makes broadleaf speedwell attractive to gardeners is its reliable performance and charming appearance. In late spring through summer, it produces dense spikes of small blue to purple flowers that create a striking display. The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators, adding life and movement to your garden. The foliage forms an attractive mat that can help suppress weeds while providing good ground coverage.
Garden Role and Design Uses
Broadleaf speedwell works wonderfully in several garden situations:
- Rock gardens where its spreading habit looks natural among stones
- Front borders where its low height won’t block taller plants
- Naturalized areas where it can spread freely
- Low-maintenance landscapes where you want reliable color
- Slopes or areas where erosion control is needed
Growing Conditions and Care
One of broadleaf speedwell’s biggest selling points is how easy it is to grow. It thrives in USDA hardiness zones 3-8, making it suitable for most temperate climates. Here’s what it needs to flourish:
- Light: Full sun to partial shade (though flowering is best in full sun)
- Soil: Well-draining soil of average fertility – it’s not picky about soil type
- Water: Drought tolerant once established, though regular watering during dry spells keeps it looking its best
- Maintenance: Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming
Planting and Care Tips
Getting started with broadleaf speedwell is straightforward. Plant it in spring after the last frost, spacing plants about 12-18 inches apart. The plants will spread to fill in gaps over time through underground runners. Every 3-4 years, you might want to divide clumps to keep them vigorous and prevent them from becoming too dense.
Because it spreads readily, keep an eye on its growth and trim back edges if it starts wandering beyond where you want it. This spreading habit is part of its charm but also requires some management in smaller gardens.
The Non-Native Consideration
While broadleaf speedwell isn’t currently classified as invasive, it is a non-native plant that has naturalized widely across North America. If you’re focused on supporting local ecosystems, you might consider native alternatives that provide similar benefits:
- Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) for pollinator appeal
- Wild ginger (Asarum canadense) for groundcover in shade
- Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica) for low-maintenance ground coverage
- Creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) for colorful spring blooms
Wildlife and Pollinator Benefits
Despite being non-native, broadleaf speedwell does provide nectar for various pollinators, including native bees and butterflies. The small flowers are particularly attractive to smaller pollinators that might have trouble accessing larger blooms. However, native plants typically provide more comprehensive ecosystem benefits, including host plants for butterfly and moth caterpillars.
Bottom Line
Broadleaf speedwell offers reliable beauty and easy care for gardeners who want a low-maintenance perennial with charming flowers. While it’s not native to North America, it’s not currently considered problematic either. If you choose to grow it, enjoy its dependable performance while keeping its spread in check. And if you’re passionate about native gardening, consider it alongside or instead of the native alternatives mentioned above.
Whether you’re a beginning gardener looking for something foolproof or an experienced one wanting reliable groundcover, broadleaf speedwell delivers consistent results with minimal fuss – just the way many of us like our gardens to behave.
