Speedwell (Veronica) is one of those amazing plants you’ll find all over the globe in countless varieties. Right here at home, we have about 50 different types, ranging from annuals to perennials. Most of the perennial Speedwells we love to grow in our gardens are pretty tough and winter-hardy, but there are a few divas that need a little extra protection when the temperature drops. Then, of course, you have the annuals that put on a gorgeous show for just one summer.
Speedwell in the Garden
If you’re growing a perennial, winter-hardy variety, you’ll want to get it ready for its nap in late autumn. I usually give mine a good, deep pruning and then toss a layer of mulch over the base. To be honest, it’s more of a “better safe than sorry” move—most hardy types don’t strictly need it, but they appreciate the coziness! You might also notice some semi-evergreen varieties that stay green through the winter. Don’t worry when they drop those leaves in early spring; they’re just making room for fresh, new growth.
If you’ve got an annual Speedwell, it’ll naturally die back in the fall. But here’s the cool part: right after blooming, it scatters its seeds everywhere. Come next spring, you’ll likely find brand-new Speedwell popping up in different spots around the garden!
Caring for Non-Hardy Speedwell
If you’ve fallen in love with a variety that isn’t frost-tolerant, your best bet is to plant it in a container or window box. This makes it super easy to move them indoors to a frost-free spot when winter hits. If you leave a pot outside in a deep freeze, the root ball can freeze solid, and that’s usually game over for the plant. A garden shed, a sunroom, or even a cool hallway works great for overwintering. If you’ve already planted a sensitive variety in a sheltered spot in the ground, you can try to tuck it in for the winter like this:
- Pile on a thick layer of mulch around the base.
- Layer some evergreen branches or brush loosely over the top.
If you absolutely have to leave your planters outside, you’ve got to insulate them against those freezing temps:
- Move the pot to a spot sheltered from the wind.
- Elevate the pot off the cold ground using a block of Styrofoam or a thick wooden plank.
- Wrap the container itself in bubble wrap or garden fleece.
- Cover the soil with mulch and wrap the plant in fleece.
- Pro tip: Make sure water can still drain out! You don’t want ice or condensation building up inside, because soggy roots are a death sentence.
Small pots are especially vulnerable and will likely freeze through if left outside. For those little guys, just bring them inside to a cool, bright room until spring returns.
