How to plant veronicas

Veronicas or ironweeds are graceful hardy perennials mostly native to Europe producing tall narrow spires of flowers and deep green leaves. Bringing height and architectural dimension to the garden, they are a fantastic way to break up the round shapes that usually occupy the border. Try planting with achilleas, euphorbias, geraniums, heleniums, lavenders, nepetas and rudbeckias for a tapestry of colour.

• Veronicas are attractive to bees and make great cut flowers.
• Plant in moderately fertile, moist, loamy, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade.
• Regularly dead-head to prolong flowering.
• Veronicas are supplied in 9 cm pots.
• Always unpack on arrival and store in a cool place until ready to plant.

Potential problems, pests and diseases:

• Leaf spots: these bacterial/fungal diseases can usually be seen as sooty growths or spots on the leaves ⁠— these will progressively turn brown with a yellow margin before eventually dying. Remove and dispose of any infected leaves.
  
  
• Downy mildews: these fungal diseases usually caused by planting in the shade or by poor air circulation can be seen in the form of yellow marks on the upper side of leaves and white, powdery coating on the underside. Cut off any infected leaves before disinfecting your scissors.
  
  
• Powdery mildews: these fungal diseases usually caused by planting in the shade or by poor air circulation can be seen in the form of white, powdery coating on the leaves. Cut off any infected material before disinfecting your scissors.