perennial

Saw-leaved speedwell

The Story

Plant Bio

Veronica austriaca, the saw-leaved speedwell, is a mound-forming herbaceous perennial native to European and Asian grasslands, producing upright to sprawling stems with toothed, lance-shaped green leaves. In late spring and early summer, the plant produces dense, elongated spikes of intense cobalt to deep violet-blue flowers that cover the foliage.

This species is highly valued for its exceptionally vivid blue floral display, which is among the truest blues available in temperate gardens. It maintains a compact, sprawling habit that makes it an excellent choice for rock gardens, sunny borders, and retaining walls.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides an intense, true-blue floral display in late spring that blankets the compact, mounded foliage.

Highly resistant to browsing by deer and rabbits, making it reliable in open or rural landscapes.

Attracts native bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insect pollinators to the garden.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Perennial

Height

24"

Width

18"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Europe and Asia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Late spring – Early summer

In flower about 2 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun to partial shade with exceptionally well-drained, average loam or sandy soil.
Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball, set the plant at the same depth as its container, and backfill with native soil.
Water thoroughly at planting to settle the soil, then water moderately only until the root system is established.
Apply a single application of balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring to support the initial flowering flush.

Pro Tip

Shear the entire plant back hard by half immediately after the first heavy flush of flowers in early summer; this prevents the stems from sprawling untidily and encourages a tidy mound with a sparse secondary bloom in late summer.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant in elevated beds or rock gardens to ensure rapid drainage.
Cut back spent flower spikes hard after the initial bloom to maintain a compact shape.
Divide mature clumps every three to four years in spring or fall to maintain vigor.

Don't

Do not plant in heavy clay or low-lying areas where water pools, as wet winter soils cause fatal root rot.
Do not over-fertilize, which leads to weak, floppy stems and sparse flowering.
Do not prune back into old, leafless woody stems at the base of the plant.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Divide
Fertilize
Pest Check
Prune
Spring Cleanup

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Rock gardensBorder edgingsCottage gardensMass plantingsSlopes and banks

Companion Plants

Phlox subulata Salvia nemorosa Achillea millefolium Coreopsis verticillata

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Saw-leaved speedwell questions

What zones can Saw-leaved speedwell grow in?

Saw-leaved 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 Saw-leaved speedwell deer resistant?

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

When does Saw-leaved speedwell bloom?

Saw-leaved speedwell typically blooms in late spring through early summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Saw-leaved speedwell need full sun?

Saw-leaved speedwell does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Saw-leaved speedwell drought tolerant?

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