Turkish veronica
Veronica liwanensis
Turkish veronica (Veronica liwanensis) is a groundcover suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 2–4 in tall and 12–18 in wide, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. Sheets of intense blue blooms in May. Plant Select original, proven Front Range performer.
low to medium water2–4 in tall and 12–18 in wideXeric / water-wisePlant Select®Zones 1–3 (can be planted near the house)Deer-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 3–8
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 1–3 (can be planted near the house)
- Site uses
- Between pavers & flagstones
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 2–4 in tall and 12–18 in wide
- Growth habit
- Mat-forming
- Planting spacing
- ~13–18 in apart
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- late spring, early summer
- Bloom color
- blue
- Bloom length
- 2–3 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
Using Turkish veronica as a groundcover
Turkish 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 weekly first summer; minimal after. Sheets of true-blue blooms in late spring.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Turkish veronica good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Turkish veronica is a well-suited groundcover for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Turkish veronica get?
- It matures to about 2–4 in tall and 12–18 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant Turkish veronica?
- Space Turkish veronica about 13 in apart for a faster, fuller cover, or up to 18 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is Turkish veronica hardy on the Front Range?
- Turkish veronica is hardy in USDA 3–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Turkish veronica need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- Is Turkish veronica native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Turkish veronica deer-resistant?
- Turkish veronica is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Turkish veronica a good firewise plant near the house?
- Turkish veronica is a lower-fuel choice suitable in defensible-space zones 1–3, it can be planted near the house when kept well irrigated and maintained. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- Is Turkish veronica a Plant Select® winner?
- Yes (inducted 1999). Turkish 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 Turkish veronica?
- Turkish veronica takes light foot traffic. You can step across it occasionally, but it won't hold up as a play-lawn.
- Can Turkish veronica replace a lawn?
- Yes, Turkish 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 Turkish veronica spread or stay put?
- Turkish veronica is mat-forming. Give it room to fill in and edit the edges to keep it where you want it.
- Does Turkish veronica stay green in winter?
- Turkish veronica holds strong cover through Front Range winters, so the ground stays protected rather than going bare.
- Can Turkish veronica grow between pavers?
- Yes. Turkish veronica is steppable enough to fill the gaps between flagstones and pavers.
- How long does Turkish veronica bloom?
- Turkish veronica blooms for about two to three weeks on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
