Speedwell or Veronica is one of those perennials that comes in various guises - some all green, others golden, some with prominent flowers, and some valued mostly for the foliage. 'Venice Blue' is taller than the creeping varieties, forming fresh green mounds about a foot tall and wide, with standout bright blue flowers that top the foliage in the spring. This sun-loving perennial can take the heat, and does well at the front of borders, in container planters and hanging baskets. Don't be afraid to shear back the plant by half after the flowers are spent as this will help maintain 'Venice Blue's' tidy shape and may encourage a second round of flowers in late summer to early fall. Clear away dead foliage in the fall so this speedwell will have a fresh start in the spring.