Veronica Longifolia Marietta

'Marietta' is an upright long-leaved speedwell with dark green, pointed and toothed foliage and dense terminal racemes that can reach 25 cm in length. Deep violet-blue flowers open from late summer into early autumn, giving strong vertical colour when many earlier perennials are fading. The spikes are highly attractive to bees and butterflies and make useful cut stems. Reaching about 1.2 metres, this hardy cultivar suits the middle or back of a border and performs in sun or partial shade with reliable moisture and good drainage.