1 named cultivar

‘First Love’Persian Speedwell First Love Speedwell

perennial

Persian Speedwell Speedwell

The Story

Plant Bio

Veronica persica, Persian speedwell, is a low sprawling annual weed from Europe and Asia, four to eight inches high, now found in lawns and cultivated ground worldwide. Small scalloped oval leaves sit along prostrate stems, and single sky-blue flowers with a white lower lip open on slender stalks from late winter onward.

It is one of the first flowers of the year in a lawn, opening in mild spells from January, and early bees use it when almost nothing else is available. Each flower lasts a single day. It is an annual, so it dies after seeding rather than persisting — improving lawn density does more to reduce it than any amount of pulling.

Uses & Benefits:

Small clear sky-blue flowers with a white lip, opening earlier than almost anything else.

None deliberate; it is a weed of lawns and cultivated ground.

A genuine early nectar source for bees emerging in mild winter spells.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Perennial

Height

6 inches

Width

8 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Annual

Native To

Europe and Asia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Planting

How to Grow

Expect it in thin lawns and disturbed soil.
Improve lawn density to reduce its foothold.
Hoe or pull seedlings before they set seed.
Recognise it as an annual, not a perennial weed.
Leave patches in rough grass for early bees.
Avoid bare soil, which it colonises fastest.

Pro Tip

It is an annual, so cutting off seeding is the whole control — a dense lawn does more than any weeding programme.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Thicken the lawn to crowd it out 🌱
Remove it before seed sets ✂️
Leave some in rough grass for bees 🐝
Cover bare soil promptly 🍂

Don't

Treat it as a perennial weed ❌
Leave bare soil open ❌
Let it seed through a fine lawn ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Control
Enjoy

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Not planted deliberatelyTolerated in rough grass for early beesIndicator of thin turf and disturbed soil

Companion Plants

White Clover Self-Heal English Daisy Common Chickweed Dandelion

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Persian Speedwell Speedwell questions

What zones can Persian Speedwell Speedwell grow in?

Persian Speedwell Speedwell is hardy in USDA Zones 4–8. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Persian Speedwell Speedwell deer resistant?

Yes — Persian Speedwell Speedwell is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Persian Speedwell Speedwell bloom?

Persian Speedwell Speedwell typically blooms in late winter to spring through mid-spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Persian Speedwell Speedwell need full sun?

Persian Speedwell Speedwell does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Persian Speedwell Speedwell drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Persian Speedwell Speedwell handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.