'Corinne Tremaine'
Variegated Wood Speedwell; or,
Veronica of the Mountains
(Veronique des montagnes)
"The little speedwell's darling blue."
-Alfred Lord Tennyson
(1809-1892)
(1809-1892)
Pale bluish violet or lilac-colored flowers of Veronica montana 'Corinne Tremaine' are extremely tiny in mid spring & summer, strongest April through June.Despite the tininess of the blooms, they show quite brightly, sprinkled over the variegated creamy yellow & light green leaves.
At a scant inch to three inches of height, the colorful leaves are a little like a miniature lamium or deadnettle.
It was developed at The Herb Garden & Historical Plants Nursery in Anglesey Island, Wales, & is named for the nursery's co-owner (with her husband David Tremaine-Stevenson).
The species in its wild setting grows only under trees or in shade. But this cultivar, when grown in the Pacific Northwest, likes a bit of sun or bright shade, although inland or further south it would be more inclined to partial shade.
Ours gets strong morning sun then much less as the day progresses. Too much sun burns the leaf-tips. It also wants moist well draining soil.
This variegated form of the English wildflower has a slowly creeping spreading habit, not at all aggressive, but can cover a foot or a foot & a half fairly easily, rooting itself as it creeps along the ground for further spread over time. It makes a valiant effort to remain at least partially evergreen through much of winter.