About Veronica albicans Petrie
This species has the scientific name Veronica albicans Petrie. It is an evergreen shrub that grows to 60 cm (24 in) tall and 90 cm (35 in) wide. It bears thick bluish leaves that measure 1.5–3 cm (0.59–1.18 in) long and 8–15 mm (0.31–0.59 in) wide. Its small white flowers grow in flowerheads 3–6 centimetres (1.2–2.4 in) in length, and bloom from December to April. The Latin specific epithet albicans translates to "off-white", which refers to the colour of the plant's flowers. Veronica albicans occurs naturally in the mountainous region surrounding Nelson, New Zealand, where it grows at altitudes between 1,000–1,400 metres (3,300–4,600 ft). A closely related species, Veronica amplexicaulis, grows in a similar habitat in Canterbury. This plant has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. It is hardy down to −5 °C (23 °F), and needs a sheltered position that gets full sun or partial shade.
