When I planted dear Veronica , I had no idea she would flower more and more
deeply, in such lustrous lavender spikes. She is so well accomodated to
the garden that I have moved her three times, even to a new
garden, and when I cut her back after July she reblooms, albeit in tender
small spikes.
Though she makes a million seeds she is not seedy, and prefers
to multiply from the root base, which she does lustily.
I quite love this plant, and to prove it, I researched perennial cultivars as
well as natural varieties.Here is a brief list of perennials and
of traditional Veronica herbs.
Recent Perennials
Alpine Speedwell (Veronica Dabneyi)-This is pink speedwell,grows in a short
clump.
Veronica filifolia -a 2 - 4" variety making a carpet with large sky -blue
flowers.
"Goodness Grows"- like V Spicata. Rich purple flowers above 10 "
foliage.
In the former page, the medicinal indications did
not include the more comprehensive notations on Blackroot,(Leptandra Virginica.) My book says:
"Leptandrin excites the liver gently and promotes the
secretion of the bile without irritating the bowels or purging."
Also used for chronic dysentery, cholera infantum and a tonic for
both stomach and liver. Dosages are from tincture or tisane employing the dried
root and are expressed in grains.
Constituents:
volatile oil, extractive, tannic acid, gum, resin, a crystalline
principle, a saccharine principle resembling mannite, and a glucoside
resembling senegrin. Tincture of the root and impure resin precipitated by
water have been called Leptandrin.
Remedies
Of Veronica Officinalis, (Common Speedwell) An infusion of dried
plant is good for coughs and catarrh. Do not confuse the Speedwells, as some
have different properties. See the comprehensive A Modern Herbal.
