Spike Speedwell

Spike speedwell (Veronica spicata) is a herbaceous perennial that is easy to grow. It makes dense spikes of small, star-shaped blue flowers from late spring to mid-summer.

Flower colors include blue, pink and white. Cultivars such as ‘Icicle’ (white) and ‘Rosea’ (pink) are listed, and ‘Royal Candles’ is a compact, purple form.

Mature plants are about 2 to 3 feet tall (61 to 91 cm) and 2 to 2½ feet wide (61 to 76 cm). One gardening experts profile gives a taller range of 50 to 100 cm (about 1.6 to 3.3 feet). It is listed as hardy in USDA zones 3 to 8.

Its flowers attract bees and butterflies, and it is listed as resistant to deer and rabbits.

These pages give no sowing date or sowing depth for spike speedwell. Gardening experts profile lists seed as a way to propagate it, but gives no timing.

Plant it in full sun, where it gets 6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day. It prefers loam with plenty of organic matter that stays moist but drains well. Gardening experts profile lists chalk, clay, loam and sand soils.

Allow about 12 inches to 3 feet (30 to 91 cm) of space for each plant.

Deadheading and shearing. Remove spent flowers after blooming. Deadheading helps prolong the bloom period. When flowering is finished, cut the plant back to its basal rosette for repeat blooms in fall.

Drainage and division. Good drainage matters, especially over winter. Divide the clumps often to keep the plant vigorous.

Root rot can develop when soil stays too wet, especially in winter. Aphids may be a pest. The plant may also be prone to downy mildew, fungal leaf spot, fungal rot, Phytophthora and honey fungus.

The flowers are good for cutting and last a long time.