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perennial

Miffy Brute Speedwell

Veronica chamaedrys 'Miffy Brute'

 

Miffy Brute Speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys 'Miffy Brute') at A Very Successful Garden Center

Miffy Brute Speedwell flowers

Miffy Brute Speedwell flowers

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Plant Height:  3 inches

Flower Height:  5 inches

Spacing:  10 inches

Sunlight:  full sun  partial shade 

Hardiness Zone:  5b

Other Names:  Bird's Eye Speedwell, Germander Speedwell

Description:

An interesting variegated sport of the species native to Northern Europe, making it a delicate additon to a border garden; shade is required where summers are extreme

Ornamental Features

Miffy Brute Speedwell is clothed in stunning panicles of powder blue flowers with white eyes rising above the foliage from late spring to early summer. Its attractive oval leaves emerge pink in spring, turning white in color with showy green variegation throughout the season.

Landscape Attributes

Miffy Brute Speedwell is a dense herbaceous perennial with a mounded form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It is a good choice for attracting butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Miffy Brute Speedwell is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Mass Planting
  • Rock/Alpine Gardens
  • Border Edging
  • General Garden Use
  • Groundcover
  • Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Miffy Brute Speedwell will grow to be only 3 inches tall at maturity extending to 5 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 12 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 10 inches apart. Its foliage tends to remain low and dense right to the ground. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 8 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

Miffy Brute Speedwell is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a mass of flowers and foliage against which the thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Massing  Rock  Edging  Garden  Groundcover  Container 
Applications
Flowers  Foliage Color  Attracts Wildlife 
Ornamental Features