Veronica media First Match

Veronica x media 'First Match' is a new, floriferous, long-leaved veronica distinguished by its good resistance to downy mildew. Its long dense spikes are packed with tiny deep pink-violet flowers above abundant foliage all summer, for almost 4 months. This lovely perennial forms a flowery mass covered in butterflies in flower beds or at the edge of water. It is very hardy and easy to grow in any good, deep and moist soil, in full sun or partial shade. Its flowers are also very beautiful in bouquets.

Veronica longifolia is a herbaceous plant in the family Plantaginaceae, found in northern and central Europe as well as Asia. It forms tall clumps, with erect stems sometimes exceeding 1 m (3ft) high and easily hybridizes with Veronica spicata.

The 'First Match' hybrid variety was recently obtained in the Netherlands. It is shorter, but more floriferous. It will reach an average height of 60 cm (24in) and a width of 50 cm (20in). Its bright green, deeply toothed leaves can be opposite, but are often whorled (clustered in bouquets) in groups of three or four, quite narrow and lanceolate, 6 to 12 cm (2 to 5in) long, with a short petiole. The flowering occurs from June-July to October in upright, dense racemes (clusters) resembling long narrow spikes, tightly packed with tiny flowers. These dark pink-violet flowers are tubular and composed of four petals and two protruding lighter stamens. The nectar-rich flowers are followed by heart-shaped capsules.

This hardy veronica is very easy to grow in ordinary, moist soil, blends well with a multitude of plants and forms beautiful summer compositions in borders, at the front of large flower beds, and on the edges of a pond. Plant it alongside Joe-Pye weed, sneezeweed, Lythrum salicaria, Filipendula rubra 'Venusta', and marsh spurge for example. In a wilder style, at the back of a flower bed, this elegant perennial forms a very successful combination with echinaceas and shorter grasses: Carex, Festuca... Its flowers can be used to create beautiful bouquets, with white or red roses, hydrangeas, or ranunculus, asters.