Spiked speedwell (Veronica spicata 'Nana')

Overview

Veronica spicata ‘Nana’, commonly known as Spiked speedwell, is a highly valued, compact herbaceous perennial celebrated for its prolific summer color display. This cultivar brings dense, vertical spikes of tiny, deep blue flowers rising above a tidy mound of foliage, providing excellent upright structure in small spaces. Its dependable performance and low maintenance requirements make it a staple for structured garden designs.

This Spiked speedwell thrives when provided with its essential needs: plenty of bright sun and well-drained soil. It forms a neat clump, making it ideal for bordering pathways or tucking into rockeries where space is limited. Gardeners appreciate the attractive summer-long bloom which reliably draws in beneficial pollinators to the garden landscape.

As a dwarf variety, Veronica spicata ‘Nana’ offers the classic look of spike speedwell but in a more manageable size, typically reaching less than a foot in height or spread. It offers season-long visual interest with gray-green, toothed foliage that nicely contrasts the vibrant blue floral display.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Plantaginaceae
• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3-8
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 0.5-0.75 ft
  • Spread: 0.75-1 ft
• Bloom Time: June to August
• Bloom Description: Deep blue
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Water Needs: Medium
• Maintenance Level: Low

How to Grow

For optimal growth, plant Veronica spicata ‘Nana’ in the early spring or fall after the danger of hard frost has passed. This Spiked speedwell performs best in average, medium-moisture soil that drains sharply. While it tolerates light shade, full sun exposure is necessary to maintain tight growth habits and maximize the duration of its deep blue bloom.

Watering should be consistent, especially during dry spells, as these plants have relatively shallow roots and dislike drying out completely. While it requires medium moisture, ensure the site is never soggy; root rot is a distinct possibility in poorly drained conditions, particularly over winter. Fertilizing is rarely crucial if the soil is adequate, focusing instead on soil health.

Routine maintenance for Veronica spicata ‘Nana’ is straightforward. After the initial flush of bloom, remove spent flower spikes promptly. This deadheading encourages the plant to produce additional blooms throughout the season. If the plant looks tired after flowering, a hard cutback to the basal foliage will refresh its appearance.

Landscape Uses

The compact stature of Veronica spicata ‘Nana’ makes it exceptionally versatile for designing sunny borders and architectural accents. Use it along stone pathways or as a front-row planting in mixed perennial beds, where its vertical spikes can contrast beautifully with mounding Phlox or groundcover Sedums. Its formal habit works well when mass-planted to create waves of blue color.

This Spiked speedwell is an excellent component for rock gardens, where sharp drainage is naturally provided. It also functions well tucked near foundations where it won’t overwhelm the architecture but still receives necessary sun exposure. Beyond beds and borders, the sturdy flower spikes are highly valued when used as fresh cut flowers, bringing that mid-summer blue indoors.

Consider pairing this variety with plants requiring similar cultural conditions—full sun and medium, well-drained moisture—such as ornamental grasses or silver-leaved Artemisia. The density of the foliage of Veronica spicata ‘Nana’ also helps suppress weeds in surrounding mulched areas.

Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Showy

Noteworthy Characteristics

Veronica spicata, commonly known as spike speedwell, is an upright, clump-forming, herbaceous perennial that typically produces a summer-long bloom of tiny, star-shaped, violet-blue flowers in dense, long-flowering, tapered-at-the-top, spike-like terminal racemes atop stems rising well above a foliage mound to 24-30” tall. Foliage consists of toothed, narrow, linear to lanceolate, medium green leaves (each to 2” long). The cultivar ‘Nana’ is an erect plant which features dense, vertical, terminal spikes (racemes) of tiny, deep blue flowers which bloom most of the summer on upright stems. This plant is recognized for attracting bees and butterflies to the garden space.

Tolerances

• Rabbit
• Deer

Potential Problems

Generally, Veronica spicata ‘Nana’ is known for resisting serious issues related to pests or diseases, making it a reliable choice. The primary concern arises from overly persistent wet conditions; root rot is a notable potential problem if the soil drains poorly, especially when winter moisture lingers. To prevent this, ensure your planting location offers sharp drainage, perhaps by incorporating grit or compost into heavy clay soil prior to planting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Spiked speedwell suitable for?

Veronica spicata ‘Nana’ is suitable for gardeners in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 8.

How tall does Veronica spicata ‘Nana’ grow?

This dwarf cultivar typically reaches a height between 0.5 and 0.75 feet, with a spread of 0.75 to 1 foot.

What sun exposure does Spiked speedwell need?

For the best performance and most abundant deep blue flowers, Veronica spicata ‘Nana’ requires full sun exposure during the day.

When does Veronica spicata ‘Nana’ bloom?

This Spiked speedwell variety offers a beautiful bloom time spanning from June right through August.

Conclusion

Veronica spicata ‘Nana’ offers remarkable garden value through its compact size, drought tolerance once established, and consistent mid-summer display of deep blue, spiked flowers. Adding this low-maintenance Spiked speedwell to your sunny perennial groupings ensures structural interest and pollinator appeal. Before planting, always verify that your soil provides the sharp drainage necessary for this excellent perennial to thrive for years.

Companion Planting

When selecting companions for Veronica spicata ‘Nana’, focus on plants that share the preference for full sun and despise wet feet. Herbs like Lavender or Thyme make excellent structural partners near the front of a border alongside this Spiked speedwell. Consider low-mounding Dianthus varieties, which offer contrasting silver or gray foliage that complements the gray-green leaves of the speedwell.

For vertical accentuation in larger beds, pair the dwarf Veronica spicata ‘Nana’ with slightly taller spiky plants that bloom at different times, such as Russian Sage (Perovskia). This strategy ensures continuous visual rhythm in the garden while maintaining similar cultural requirements for water and sun exposure across the planting area.

Wildlife Benefits

The dense terminal racemes of Veronica spicata ‘Nana’ are highly attractive targets for beneficial insects throughout the summer months. Flowers are specifically attractive to bees, which visit the tiny, star-shaped blooms for nectar. Planting a grouping of this Spiked speedwell enhances garden biodiversity by providing a reliable, mid-season food source for pollinators when other early bloomers may be fading.

While the foliage may be listed as deer and rabbit resistant, the flower nectar provides essential sustenance for local pollinator populations. Integrating Veronica spicata ‘Nana’ into sunny mixed borders is an easy, low-effort way to actively support local bee and butterfly activity in your landscape design.