Crystal River veronica
Veronica 'Crystal River'
Crystal River veronica (Veronica 'Crystal River') is a groundcover suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 1 to 3 in tall and 12 to 24 in wide, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun. Plant Select form of Turkish veronica with denser bloom + longer season.
low to medium water1 to 3 in tall and 12 to 24 in wideXeric / water-wisePlant Select®Lower ignitability (Plant Select list): 5-30 ft, not right against the houseDeer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: "Turkish Veronica Blooming in Flagstone Patio" by patrick_standish is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/.
- Photo 2: "North Side Patio Garden" by patrick_standish is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/.
- Photo 3: "Turkish Speedwell" by patrick_standish is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/.
- Photo 4: "Turkish Veronica" by patrick_standish is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/.
- Photo 5: (c) Todd Boland, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 6: "Turkish Speedwell" by patrick_standish is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/.
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3 to 8
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 6.5 to 8.0
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 1 to 3 in tall and 12 to 24 in wide
- Growth habit
- Mat-forming
- Planting spacing
- ~17 to 24 in apart
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- late spring, early summer
- Bloom color
- blue
- Bloom length
- Long (several weeks)
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Winter cover
- Strong winter cover
What it will do to your yard
- Foot traffic
- Light foot traffic
- Lawn alternative
- No-mow lawn alternative
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- No
Also worth knowing
- Fire rating
- Lower ignitability (Plant Select list): 5-30 ft, not right against the house
Using Crystal River veronica as a groundcover
Crystal River veronica forms a low mat. It fills in densely, crowding out most weeds. It takes light foot traffic, fine to step across occasionally, but not a play-lawn. It holds strong cover through Front Range winters, so the ground doesn't go bare.
Planting & establishment
Water deeply 1×/week first summer to establish. After establishment, water 1 to 2×/month during dry stretches.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Crystal River veronica good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Crystal River veronica is a well-suited groundcover for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Crystal River veronica get?
- It matures to about 1 to 3 in tall and 12 to 24 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant Crystal River veronica?
- Space Crystal River veronica about 17 in apart for a faster, fuller cover, or up to 24 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is Crystal River veronica hardy on the Front Range?
- Crystal River veronica is hardy in USDA 3 to 8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b to 6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Crystal River veronica need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- Is Crystal River veronica native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Crystal River veronica deer-resistant?
- Crystal River veronica is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Crystal River veronica a good firewise plant near the house?
- Crystal River veronica is on Plant Select's fire-resistant plant list, so a reasonable choice 5 to 30 feet from the house rather than right against it. This is general guidance based on Plant Select's fire-resistant plant list, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Check defensible-space guidance with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- Is Crystal River veronica a Plant Select® winner?
- Yes. Crystal River veronica is in Plant Select®, the plant-recommendation program run by Colorado State University and Denver Botanic Gardens to highlight plants that thrive in the region.
- Can you walk on Crystal River veronica?
- Crystal River veronica takes light foot traffic. You can step across it occasionally, but it won't hold up as a play-lawn.
- Can Crystal River veronica replace a lawn?
- Yes, Crystal River veronica works as a no-mow lawn alternative on the Front Range. Expect a season or two of weeding and watering while it fills in before it reads as a lawn replacement.
- Will Crystal River veronica spread or stay put?
- Crystal River veronica is mat-forming. Give it room to fill in and edit the edges to keep it where you want it.
- Does Crystal River veronica stay green in winter?
- Crystal River veronica holds strong cover through Front Range winters, so the ground stays protected rather than going bare.
- How long does Crystal River veronica bloom?
- Crystal River veronica blooms for several weeks, a long-season performer on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
