Also known as bird’s-eye speedwell, and cat’s eyes, this herbaceous perennial is native to Europe where it is found in meadows, hedgerows, and open deciduous woodlands. It is a member of the plantain family, Plantaginaceae, that also includes foxglove, snapdragon and Angelonia. The plant grows up to 8″ tall but is usually shorter and has stems that have fine white hairs on opposite sides. The oval leaves are sessile, and have deeply toothed margins . From spring into summer, blue (occasionally mauve or pale violet) flowers appear. Each flower is 3-4″ across and has a white center surrounded by 4 petals with dark blue radial lines.
Germander speedwell likes full sun to partial shade and average, medium moist, well-drained in USDA Hardiness zones 3-7. It does not tolerate drought, has no significant pests or diseases but can become weedy especially in lawns. Propagation is by seed, division, or stem fragments.
The genus name, Veronica, honors Saint Veronica who is said to have given a handkerchief to Jesus on his way to Calvary so he could wipe sweat from his face. The specific epithet, chamaedrys, is from the Greek words χαμαi (chamai) meaning on the ground, and δρῦς (drys) meaning oak, and refers to the habit of the plant and the supposed resemblance of its leaves to oak leaves.
Germander speedwell is associated with the Flight into Egypt by the Holy Family which is described in the Gospel of Matthew (2: 13-15). According to this account, after the birth of Jesus, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and instructed Joseph to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt in order to escape Herod, who considered the infant a threat. The journey was long and hard, and legend says that flowers of germander speedwell blossomed at each spot where the Virgin Mary rested along the way. The germander speedwell with its blue flowers resembled a seat and so was named Our Lady’s Resting Place. The same story is associated with sea thrift (Armeria maritima). Photo Credit: Giotto