Veronica spicata subsp. incana Silbersee

Veronica spicata subsp. incana 'Silbersee' is a vigorous perennial with a spreading habit, offering splendid semi-evergreen silver-white narrow and dentate leaves, topped with upright spikes covered in small blue-purple star-shaped flowers. It forms creeping tufts with hairy foliage, which spread thanks to a strong creeping stump. It thrives in sunny beds with well-drained limestone soil.

Veronica spicata subsp. incana Silbersee is from the Plantaginaceae family,  confined to Eastern Europe to Siberia and northwest China. This very hardy perennial, evergreen or deciduous depending on the climate, grows in dry meadows and grassland, in well-drained and rather dry soils. The 'Silbersee' form shows a creeping habit, reaching a height of 15 cm (6in), spreading up to 45 cm (18in) in diameter from its powerful semi-woody stump. Its hairy stems are branched in the upper part and bear deciduous to semi-evergreen leaves, oval to linear, of a remarkable silver-white colour, with finely crenate edges. In summer, from June to August and sometimes until September, it produces tiny blue-purple star-shaped flowers at the end of floral stems, gathered in dense and upright spikes, reaching a height of 30 cm (12in). This flowering is rich in nectar and attractive to bees. The plant self-seeds spontaneously in the garden, in light soil.

Veronica spicata subsp. incana Silbersee can be planted in any well-drained soil, even rocky and limestone soils, and in full sun. It is particularly suitable for rock gardens as it requires well-drained soil and tolerates drought, or as a border plant. This perennial pairs well with yarrows, Alyssum, Helianthemum, Coreopsis, small Iris pumila, Saponaria, aubrietas, wall bellflowers, ceraistes, or sedums.