Veronica 'First Lady' brings upright spikes of crisp white flowers that rise cleanly above lush green foliage making it a pristine focal point in sunny perennial beds. Known for its compact and tidy habit, it blooms prolifically through summer and maintains excellent mildew resistance. 'First Lady' is a low maintenance selection that brings structure and pollinator appeal to mixed borders or formal plantings.
Height & Spread: 12 - 18 in x 12 - 18 in
Bloom Time: Early to mid summer
Light Requirements: Full sun
Soil Preference: Moist, well drained soils with average fertility
Watering Needs: Moderate; water regularly in periods of drought
Deer Resistance: Foliage is unpalatable to deer and rabbits
Native Status
Veronica 'First Lady' is a cultivated variety developed from Eurasian and European Veronica species. While not native to North America, it adapts well to garden settings and supports pollinators.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Bees
- Provides nectar for honeybees, mason bees, and native sweat bees throughout its extended bloom period.
Butterflies
- Attracts small butterflies like Spring Azures and hairstreaks, which utilize its flower spikes for nectar gathering.
Beneficial Insects
- Encourages predatory wasps and hoverflies that help reduce aphid populations in garden beds.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations:
- Plant 12 - 18 in apart to allow upright clumps to fill without crowding adjacent selections.
Landscape Placement:
- Excellent for front borders, formal rows, cottage gardens, and pollinator-focused planting schemes.
Companion Plants
- Coreopsis verticillata 'Moonbeam' - Soft yellow daisy flowers offer contrast in both color and texture blooming alongside Veronica.
- Echinacea purpurea 'White Swan' - Upright white blooms echo the purity of 'First Lady' while providing late summer nectar for bees and butterflies.
- Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote' - Aromatic purple blooms draw bees while framing Veronica’s vertical accent with soft mounds.
- Stachys byzantina (Lambs Ear) - Silvery fuzzy foliage adds a grounding element and foliage contrast below Veronica’s vertical lines.
- Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna' - Rich purple spikes contrast with white flowers and extend the season of pollinator activity.