Dwarf Spike Speedwell

Dwarf Spike Speedwell
Veronica spicata 'Royal Candles'
(veh-RON-ih-ka) (spi-KAH-tuh)
Synonyms: ‘Glory’

This is a perennial that I have been using more and more over the years. My favorite and seemingly most available is ‘Red Fox’. It has taken some explaining sometimes to be allowed to plant Veronica, which is a name a lot of older gardeners associate with a terrible weed (Veronica persia) that infests lawns and planting beds. This perennial is a much more refined and gracious plant and a good garden citizen. It seems very hardy and able to grow in difficult areas. I am very excited to try this dwarf version (8-12 inches tall). The flower color is an awesome blue and it seems very prolific.

This is a low maintenance flower that blooms in the late spring and summer. The flowering season can be extended by deadheading. It has average soil and water needs. One trick I have learned is that Speedwell likes well drained soil, especially in the winter. Some sources say that it will grow in light shade but I have found it likes full sun better.

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