National Collection

The National Collection of Veronica started with the simple purchase of a pretty plant that drew the eye. Then, having collected a few nice cultivars, I found Veronica on the Plant Heritage list of genus not within a collection, and an obsession was born! All Veronica within the collection are the herbaceous type grown for their elegant spires, which can add bold and dramatic impact to the summer garden. 

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Veronica longifolia - these tend to be taller cultivars, are perfect for the middle and back of borders.

Colours range in complimentary shades of pale to mid blue, white and pink and lavender, with some dramatic dark blues.

Excellent as cut flowers and adored by bumblebees. Collectors personal favourites: 'Marietta' (dark blue form), 'Lavender Lightsaber' (Pink/Lavender) and 'Pink Damask' (Mid Pink).

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Veronica spicata - shorter cultivars, perfect for front of border and containers. 

Colours are in similar shades to longifolia, also loved by bumblebees. Collectors personal favourites: 'Anniversary Rose' (Mid Pink), 'Moody Blues Dark Blue', 'Red Fox' and 'Royal Candles' (syn. Ulster Blue Dwarf - Deep Blue).

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Veronica - modern hybrids including x media type.

Newer cultivars, often crosses between longifolia and spicata with increased flower power and improved disease resistance. Some colour breaks of silvery lavender, and deeper, more intense pink and purple shades. Collectors personal favourites: x media 'First Kiss', (intense pink), x media 'First Choice' (palest pink) & x media 'First Memory' (Pale Silver Lavender).

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For 2026 - the collection has been extended with new dedicated beds and cultivars laid out in distinct rows to make identification and observation simpler. This has allowed additional cultivars to be added to the correction, although we are definitely running out of space!

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Plant Sales - At present while we are still building up the collection, we regret that we are unable to sell plants grown by ourselves. We are thrilled that Sweet Meadows Plant Centre have grown several different cultivars this year and we will have some of these available to purchase at our open day in July - (Plant Heritage Members only). Plants are also available at Sweet Meadows Plant Centre, at Draycott Nurseries, Draycott in the Moors. ST11 9RG. www.sweet-meadows.co.uk

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Open days: For 2026, open days are for Plant Heritage Members and other visitors by appointment only. Strictly no dogs. We regret that access to the collection is currently not suitable for those with limited mobility or wheelchair users. To find out more about the work of Plant Heritage and National Collections, please visit the charities website. https://www.plantheritage.org.uk/