Royal Candles speedwell

Sun

Full sun is best; tolerates light afternoon shade, especially in hot summers, but flowers less in substantial shade.

Water

Water regularly while establishing, then when the soil becomes dry below the surface. Established plants tolerate brief dry spells but flower better with moderate moisture.

Soil

Well-drained loam, sandy soil or improved clay; average fertility and slightly acidic to alkaline conditions are suitable. Avoid ground that stays waterlogged.

Height

1-1.5 ft (0.3-0.45 m)

Spread

1-1.5 ft (0.3-0.45 m)

Flowers

Dense violet-blue spikes in early to midsummer, sometimes followed by a lighter repeat flowering after deadheading.

Foliage

Narrow, toothed green leaves form a compact basal mound, with smaller leaves along the flower stems. Foliage usually dies back in winter.

Growth

Moderate; usually forms a useful flowering clump within one or two growing seasons.

Care needed

Low

• Pollinators
• Deer resistant
• Drought tolerant
• Cold hardy
• Low allergen

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Easy

Toughness

Very tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   1 ft (0.3 m)

2. After 1 year

   1.1 ft (0.32 m)

3. After 2 years

   1.1 ft (0.35 m)

4. After 3 years

   1.2 ft (0.38 m)

   full size

About 3 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Safe

Native to

the UK

Growth rate

Moderate

• Water at soil level during establishment and prolonged dry weather; avoid keeping the crown constantly wet.
• Apply a thin layer of compost in spring; avoid heavy feeding, which encourages soft, floppy growth.
• Keep mulch clear of the crown and improve drainage before planting in heavy soil.
• Divide crowded or weakening clumps in spring, usually every three or four years.
• Grow in good light and avoid crowding; this compact cultivar normally needs no staking.

Pruning. Cut spent flower spikes back to a healthy pair of leaves to encourage another flush. Remove dead stems in late winter or early spring before new growth develops.

Late winter

Remove dead stems and check that mulch or fallen leaves are not smothering the crown.

Spring

Plant or divide clumps once the soil is workable, keeping the crown at soil level.

Mid-spring

Top-dress lightly with compost and check new shoots for slug damage.

Early summer

Water during dry spells as flower spikes develop.

Midsummer

Remove faded spikes promptly if you want a lighter repeat display.

Autumn

Clear diseased foliage and make sure water drains freely around the clump.

• Repeat small groups along the front of a sunny border for a rhythm of blue vertical spikes.
• Pair with low ornamental grasses and rounded flowering plants to contrast upright flowers with softer shapes.
• Plant beside pink roses or white daisies for a cool-coloured cottage border.
• Use in a sunny container with drainage holes, keeping the compost moderately moist.

Garden styles it suits: Cottage garden, English country, Blues and silvers, Pollinator garden, New perennial (prairie) and Small-space.

Plant it with: Catmint, Coreopsis, Yarrow, Hardy geranium, Dianthus and Dwarf fountain grass.

Wildlife: Flowers provide nectar and pollen for bees and attract some butterflies. It is a cultivated garden plant, not a substitute for locally native host plants.

• Crown or root rot in wet soil: improve drainage, keep mulch away from the crown and replace badly rotted plants.
• Powdery mildew: give plants sun and air movement, avoid drought stress and remove badly affected foliage.
• Slugs and snails on emerging shoots: inspect during damp evenings, remove hiding places and protect vulnerable new growth.
• Sparse flowering or floppy stems: move to a sunnier position and reduce nitrogen feeding.

Not known to be toxic to cats, dogs, horses or people. No part is generally identified as poisonous, but it is an ornamental plant rather than a food plant, and eating it may cause stomach upset.

• Longleaf speedwell (Veronica longifolia)

  Usually much taller, with longer leaves and a more upright, leafy framework rather than Royal Candles' compact mound.

• Woodland sage (Salvia nemorosa)

  Has clearly two-lipped flowers, square stems and often aromatic leaves; speedwell has tiny, open, four-lobed flowers with conspicuous projecting stamens.

The species name spicata means 'spiked', referring to the upright flower clusters.

Propagation. Divide established clumps in spring or take basal cuttings from young shoots. Seedlings will not reliably retain the cultivar's compact habit and flower characteristics. Check local plant variety rights before propagating protected cultivars.

Accepted botanical name

Veronica spicata

In the US and Canada

Introduced in Canada and the lower 48 states.

Native range

Albania, Altay, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Bulgaria, Central European Rus, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, East European Russia, Finland and France.

Measured

Average height 23 cm.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0), USDA PLANTS and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.