Spiked speedwell (Veronica spicata 'Pavane')

Overview

Veronica spicata ‘Pavane’ is a beautiful, low-growing cultivar of Spiked speedwell prized for its dense, vertical flower spikes that present a long season of color in the garden. This variation on the classic spike speedwell offers a neat habit, rarely exceeding one foot in height, making it ideal for edging borders where upright structure is desired without bulk. Its vibrant pink blooms are highly attractive to essential pollinators like bees and butterflies throughout the summer months.

As a tough herbaceous perennial, Veronica spicata ‘Pavane’ is relatively easy to incorporate into mixed plantings, providing excellent season-long interest. Gardeners value its reliability and low maintenance needs once established in the correct location. The foliage forms a tidy basal mound, contrasting nicely with the airy verticality of the flower spikes, enhancing the overall texture of perennial beds.

Cultivating successful Veronica spicata ‘Pavane’ relies on providing full sun and ensuring excellent soil drainage, especially to maximize winter survival. This specific variety, Veronica spicata ‘Pavane’, offers the classic appeal of Spiked speedwell in a manageable size perfect for modern landscapes needing reliable, vertically oriented color.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Plantaginaceae
• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-8
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 0.5-1 ft
  • Spread: 0.5-0.75 ft
• Bloom Time: June to August
• Bloom Description: Pink
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Water Needs: Medium
• Maintenance Level: Low

How to Grow

Plant Veronica spicata ‘Pavane’ in the spring or fall, choosing a location that receives full sun for the best flower production; however, this Spiked speedwell tolerates light shade well. Success hinges upon soil composition: it requires average, medium moisture, well-drained soil. Plants possess shallow roots and strongly dislike sitting in overly wet conditions, particularly during winter dormancy, where poor drainage can invite root rot issues.

Watering should be consistent, especially during dry spells, as plants are generally intolerant of prolonged dry soil conditions. While heavy fertilization is unnecessary, ensuring sharp drainage is the primary cultural requirement for long-term health. Deadheading spent flower spikes encourages the plant to produce a second flush of cheerful pink blooms later in the season.

Maintenance for Veronica spicata ‘Pavane’ is remarkably low. After the main flowering period concludes, plants benefit from being cut back to the basal growth to tidy up the appearance and promote strong renewal for the following year. This practice helps maintain the compact form of this desirable cultivar.

Landscape Uses

Veronica spicata ‘Pavane’ excels in structured plantings where its upright form can create necessary vertical accents. It serves beautifully as an edging plant along walkways or driveways, keeping beds neatly defined without becoming overly tall. Consider mass planting groups of these low-growing Spiked speedwell plants in beds or borders to create swathes of continuous pink summer color.

Due to their manageable size, these plants integrate wonderfully into rock gardens, softening hardscaping with their vibrant pink spires. They also pair excellently with plants that enjoy similar sun and moisture requirements but offer contrasting textures, such as broad-leaved Hostas or feathery ornamental grasses planted closely behind them. Furthermore, the dense blooms of Veronica spicata ‘Pavane’ make it a highly recommended choice for fresh cut flower arrangements.

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). This species is native to northern Europe and Asia. Flowers typically bloom from mid-June to August. Flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies. Cultivars with blue, violet-blue, pink and white flowers are available in commerce.Genus name honors Saint Veronica who reportedly gave a handkerchief to Jesus so he could wipe sweat from his face on the way to Calvary, with some genus plants having markings that resemble the markings on the sacred handkerchief.Specific epithet from Latin means spiked in reference to the flower spikes on this plant.‘Pavane’ is low-growing, slowly-spreading veronica which grows to 10” tall. Dense, vertical terminal spikes of tiny pink flowers bloom in summer. Small, lance-shaped green leaves

Tolerances

• Rabbit
• Deer

Potential Problems

Veronica spicata ‘Pavane’ generally exhibits few serious insect or disease issues, contributing to its low maintenance appeal. The primary concern for this Spiked speedwell relates to water management rather than pests. Root rot is a significant potential problem if allowed to grow in consistently wet or poorly-drained soils. Ensure the planting site has sharp drainage, especially as temperatures drop in the fall and winter, to prevent crowns from sitting in cold, soggy conditions.

Monitor for signs of fungal issues if humidity is consistently high or airflow is restricted, although resistance is generally good. Proper spacing when initially planting Veronica spicata ‘Pavane’ helps maintain air circulation, reducing the risk of minor foliar diseases.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Spiked speedwell suitable for?

Veronica spicata ‘Pavane’ is suitable for USDA Zones 4 through 8, offering reliable perennial performance across these regions.

How large does Spiked speedwell grow?

This cultivar generally reaches a height between 0.5 and 1 foot tall with a spread of 0.5 to 0.75 feet, maintaining a compact presence in the garden.

What sun exposure does Veronica spicata ‘Pavane’ need?

Veronica spicata ‘Pavane’ thrives best in full sun conditions, though it remains quite adaptable and can tolerate light shade placement.

When does Veronica spicata ‘Pavane’ bloom?

This Spiked speedwell produces its signature pink blooms during the core summer months, typically from June into August.

Conclusion

Veronica spicata ‘Pavane’ is a highly recommended selection for adding refined, low-growing vertical structure and reliable pink summer color to sunny borders and rock gardens. Given its low maintenance demands and attractive habit, incorporating this Spiked speedwell into your landscape design is simple and rewarding. Before planting, confirm that your garden site meets the full sun requirements and provides the critical sharp soil drainage necessary for this charming plant to flourish.

Companion Planting

Because Veronica spicata ‘Pavane’ requires full sun and dislikes sitting in moisture, companion plants should share similar preferences for medium water and well-drained soil. Excellent partners include Coreopsis varieties, sturdy Lavender, or compact ornamental grasses that thrive in similar conditions and offer contrasting foliage texture. Avoid placing these close to moisture-loving plants like Astilbe or large wetland marginals, as the excess water will stress the speedwell.

Wildlife Benefits

One significant advantage of utilizing Veronica spicata ‘Pavane’ is its proven value to local ecology. The dense, nectar-rich pink flower spikes are magnets for beneficial insects, particularly bees and various species of butterflies actively foraging during the mid-summer months. Planting this Spiked speedwell adjacent to vegetable gardens or seating areas maximizes viewing pleasure while actively supporting local pollinator populations throughout its bloom time in June through August.