- origin
- growth
- leaves
- blossom
- use
- Is shrub veronica poisonous?
- Which location is suitable?
- What soil does the plant need?
- cuttings
- Shrub veronica in a pot
- Water shrub veronica
- Fertilize shrub veronica properly
- Properly cut shrub veronica
- How do I plant correctly?
- hibernate
- pests
- fungus
- sorts
Shrub veronicas have a number of advantages. They tolerate salty coastal air and can be cultivated in regions with frosty winter months. When planting, you should pay attention to the special requirements of the plant so that cultivation is successful.
The shrub veronica is evergreen and delights with its violet flowers in summer
Table of Contents
Show all- origin
- growth
- leaves
- blossom
- use
- Is shrub veronica poisonous?
- Which location is suitable?
- What soil does the plant need?
- cuttings
- Shrub veronica in a pot
- Water shrub veronica
- Fertilize shrub veronica properly
- Properly cut shrub veronica
- How do I plant correctly?
- hibernate
- pests
- fungus
- sorts
- Rhododendrons
- Narrow-leaved laurel rose
- Japanese lavender heather
- Spray the plant with a strong jet of water
- spray with soap solution
- Sprinkle with extracts of tansy and nettles
- Apply beneficial insects such as gall mites and lacewings
- Green Globe: Winter hardy down to -5° C. Compact growth, regular spherical shape. Grows between 20 and 30 centimeters high.
- New Zealand: Small-leaved, foliage yellow-green. Growth height 100 to 150 centimeters.
- Variegata: Leaves white-green with yellow, silver-grey spots. Flowers light purple from July. Up to 180 centimeters high.
- James Stirling: Small needle-shaped leaves, green with golden yellow tinge. Up to 20 centimeters high.
origin
The shrub veronica used to belong to the Hebe genus. It now belongs to the Veronica species and bears the Latin name Veronica subgen. lifting. The original range of the plant group is in New Zealand, where it is the largest plant genus on the island with around 90 species. Other occurrences exist in French Polynesia and the Falkland Islands. Some species also occur wild in South America. The plants grow both on the coast and in alpine regions.
growth
The Veronica species grow as evergreen shrubs whose stems become lignified with age. There are dwarf shrubs that grow between 15 and 40 centimeters and carpet-forming species. Some plants develop shrubby and upright forms. They grow up to 150 centimeters high. Other types of shrub veronica grow like trees and reach heights of up to seven meters.
leaves
The foliage is arranged in pairs so that two leaves face each other. The pairs of leaves are decussate on the stem. Viewed from above, two rows of leaves standing at right angles to each other can be seen.
There are large-leaved species that are found on coasts, forest edges and in the lowlands. With increasing altitude, the leaves develop smaller and smaller. In alpine vegetation belts above the tree line, heaves form leaves reduced to leathery scales. Her shape is reminiscent of a whip.
The color palette of the lanceolate leaves ranges from dark to light green with a shiny upper surface. There are now numerous cultivated forms with brightly colored or variegated foliage. Some cultivars have green leaves with yellow or white leaf margins. They are reminiscent of the leaves of the spindle bushes.
blossom
The corolla consists of four unequally shaped petals. In the center are two stamens and a long pen. The individual flowers crowd together into a candle-shaped inflorescence that tapers towards the tip. The inflorescence looks prickly from afar.
The crown is reminiscent of the delicate flowers of the Speedwell species. Shrub Veronicas are autumn or summer flowering. Many small-leaved species start developing flowers as early as May. During the summer months, the species are important food sources for butterflies. Autumn-blooming plants are mostly large-leaved. Hybrids of Veronica andersonii make up the majority of this group. These cultivated forms develop flower clusters with a length of up to 15 centimeters.
The range of colors is wide. While the natural species develop delicate pink or purple flowers, cultivated forms shine in white, red or blue-purple. In the flowerless state, a clear identification of the natural species is almost impossible, since the species are very similar in their growth habit.
use
Heaves are popular structuring agents that set colorful accents all year round with their lush green. They serve as a bed border and emphasize the garden in winter. On graves, the plants are often used as ground cover. Their colorful foliage makes them attractive eye-catchers in perennial plantings. Due to its demands on the soil, the shrub veronica can be planted in bog beds. Here the shrub harmonises with heather and sedum, which blooms in autumn.
Suitable plant partners are:
Is shrub veronica poisonous?
The shrub veronica is one of the harmless ornamental plants. It contains no toxic ingredients and can be planted in gardens where there are children or pets.
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Which location is suitable?
Hebe prefer high humidity. A location on the east side of a house is ideal, as the shrubs should be protected from direct sunlight. Here the plants enjoy sun in the morning and shady conditions from midday onwards. As a result, it does not get too warm for the woody shrubs even in summer.
A partially shaded location under light trees is also suitable for cultivation. There are varieties that tolerate up to three hours of sunshine per day. Varieties with variegated foliage require more light because their leaf color is lost in locations that are too dark. When choosing a location, make sure it is sheltered from the wind.
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What soil does the plant need?
Veronica subgen. Hebe prefers acidic soil. Provide the substrate with plenty of organic material so that the pH value remains in the low environment. This applies to both garden soil and potting substrates. A mixture of humus, peat and sand, each in equal proportions, is ideal.
Watch out for fresh conditions. The shrubs need a good substrate permeability, since waterlogging damages them. Before you plant your shrub veronica, you should cover the bottom of the tub and planting hole with potsherds. They act as drainage and ensure that the irrigation water can run off optimally.
cuttings
Cut off young shoots from a healthy mother plant just below a node. The cuttings should not be lignified yet. Use a tool with a sharp blade that you have thoroughly cleaned and disinfected beforehand. Remove the leaves from the bottom third of the cutting. This is placed in a planter filled with potting soil up to the leafy section. A low-nutrient mixture of peat and sand is suitable as a substrate.
Moisten the soil and put a glass over the jar. Place the pot in a moderately bright location and make sure that the soil temperature does not drop below 20 degrees Celsius.
As soon as fresh leaves develop, the cuttings are ready for transplanting. They can then be planted in a nutrient-rich substrate or placed outdoors. During the growth phase, you can regularly clip off a few shoot tips with your fingernail. With this measure, the shrub veronica grows bushier.
Shrub veronica in a pot
Shrub veronica species are suitable for planting in containers. Choose a sufficiently large container so that the roots can develop optimally. As soon as the substrate is completely rooted, the plants need a larger bucket. A clay pot is ideal for planting as the porous material absorbs moisture. There is no regulation of substrate moisture in plastic pots. With these models, you must also ensure good water drainage.
The shrubs can be combined with other plants in balcony boxes (€109.00). Tall stonecrop, lantern flower or lamp cleaner grass are suitable as planting partners.
Water shrub veronica
The water requirement of these species is high during the growth phase. Water copiously between spring and fall. On very hot days you should check the moisture in the soil several times a day and water more often if necessary. Shrub veronica tolerates neither heat in the air nor dryness in the substrate. A lack of water can cause the leaves to turn yellow. Spray them with water to support the vitality of the plant.
When watering, you should make sure that the water does not accumulate on the surface. Water enough to avoid surface puddles. The soil must completely absorb the water. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings, but avoid drying out completely.
As evergreen plants, their metabolism does not go into hibernation even in winter. This means that shrub veronicas need moisture all year round. Water your shrubs on frost-free days. The root ball should not dry out. A thick layer of mulch ensures that the soil does not freeze or dry out.
Fertilize shrub veronica properly
When the growing season begins in spring, mature trees enjoy fertilization. Young plants only need an additional supply of nutrients from the second year. Give the Heden nutrients every 14 days in the form of a liquid fertilizer that is administered with the irrigation water. A weak dosage is sufficient, since the trees and shrubs are not heavy consumers.
Properly cut shrub veronica
Heds usually do not need to be cut. They naturally have compact growth and maintain their growth habit over a long period of time. If the withered inflorescences look unsightly, they can be cut off in a targeted manner.
With increasing age, the bushes bare from bottom to top. This is a natural process as the upper shoots take the light away from the lower branches. To counteract this process, you should trim the tops a little or thin out the plant slightly. This gives the lower part of the plant more light again, so that fresh leaves can sprout here. Aim for an oval shape so that the entire plant receives enough light.
How do I plant correctly?
If the plant needs a different location, you can generously cut off and dig up the root ball in spring. Before this measure, it is advisable to cut off bare and withered shoots and shorten the shrub a little overall. Also cut back the roots so that there is a balance between leaf mass and root ball.
repot
Potted plants are transplanted into a larger vessel every two to three years. This measure is necessary at the latest when the roots hit the inside of the pot or grow out of the drainage hole. Choose an overcast day in late spring when temperatures are mild.
The new bucket should be about two to four centimeters larger in circumference. If you skip several sizes at once, the roots will spread very quickly at first and fresh leaf sprouting will be a long time coming. Completely remove the old substrate to prevent infestation by pathogens and pests. You can also rinse the roots with water to remove residue.
hibernate
Shrub veronicas have a certain sensitivity to frost, although they are often offered as hardy. This sensitivity relates to the foliage, which loses moisture even in winter. If the ground is frozen, the plants cannot maintain their water balance. As a result, they dry up. Look for a sheltered location where there is no direct sunlight in winter. Wind also contributes to excessive evaporation.
In the snow-free winter months, cover the plant with garden fleece or brushwood. This protects both large-leaved and small-leaved trees and shrubs from the dangerous frosts. Potted plants spend the cold months in a mild winter quarters. Place the jar in an unheated and bright room. Temperatures around ten degrees Celsius and moderately high humidity are ideal.
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pests
The typical pests on shrub veronicas settle on leaves and shoots and suck the plant sap out of the veins with their mouthparts.
spider mites
These pests are common. They leave bright spots on the leaves. In the late infestation stage, the foliage shows light gray to bronze spots. The leaves curl and wither until they eventually fall off. Spider mites tend to spread in the spring and leave a fine web on the parts of the plant. Remove the affected leaves and treat the plant with insecticides made on the basis of canola oil.
aphids
They are among the most common pests on shrub veronicas. Aphids leave a sticky secretion on the leaves and twigs. A typical sign of damage is ruffled, severely curled and partially blistered leaves. The pests settle on the underside of the leaves and are recognizable as black dots.
Appropriate relief measures:
scale insects
These pests are recognizable by their shield-shaped body, which protects the insects like a capsule. Only the female scale insects feed, leaving unusable residue in the form of sticky secretions that coat the leaves and crust over time. A heavy infestation stunts growth and stuns the plant. If your wood is affected, you should spray all parts of the plant with oil preparations that contain paraffin or canola oil. A continuous film of oil forms so that the pests suffocate.
fungus
Botrytis cinerea is one of the harmful fungi that often settle on shrub veronicas. They leave a velvety, mouse-grey coating on the plant parts. The mushroom lawn creates a lot of dust and releases numerous spores in this way. Gray mold prefers to spread in humid and warm conditions.
Good ventilation of the plant helps preventively. Give the shrubs a tonic. Here, an extract of horsetail has proven to be successful. Alternatively, we recommend giving rock flour. (14.13€) Remove all affected parts of the plant and treat heavily infested plants with an approved fungicide.
tips
On the balcony, the shrub veronica between insect hotels and rustic garden furniture creates a summery flair. The intensive colors are not only decoration but also the perfect background for photo motifs with home-made jams and juices. This colorful sight makes you want to socialize.