Spiked speedwell (Veronica spicata 'Glory' ROYAL CANDLES)

Overview

Veronica spicata ‘Glory’ ROYAL CANDLES, known commonly as Spiked speedwell, offers superb vertical punctuation in the perennial garden. This compact cultivar is highly valued for its extremely dark, deep blue-purple flower spikes that offer reliable color from early to mid-summer. It is an upright, bushy perennial that maintains a tidy presence, making it a staple for gardeners seeking dependable mid-summer interest.

This fine cultivar of Veronica spicata thrives when given consistent moisture and excellent drainage, characteristic of its cultural needs. The dense, tapered flower spikes rise above a neat mound of foliage, providing excellent texture contrast against broader-leaved neighbors. Gardeners appreciate the low maintenance requirements of Veronica spicata ‘Glory’ ROYAL CANDLES, especially once established in an appropriate sunny location.

The vibrant coloration attracts necessary pollinators, including bees and butterflies, enhancing biodiversity in the landscape. For those looking for structured, long-lasting color in sunny beds or borders, Veronica spicata ‘Glory’ ROYAL CANDLES delivers reliable performance and season-long visual appeal.

Fast Facts

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

How to Grow

Plant Veronica spicata ‘Glory’ ROYAL CANDLES in the spring or fall, ensuring the location offers full sun exposure for the best flower production. This Spiked speedwell prefers average soil, as long as it is medium in moisture and critically, very well-drained. Sharp drainage, especially during winter dormancy, is crucial to the longevity of this herbaceous perennial.

Establish a watering routine that maintains consistent, regular moisture, particularly during establishment and hot summer spells, as these plants are intolerant of prolonged dry soil conditions. While they tolerate light shade, performance diminishes without ample direct sunlight. Avoid excessive fertilization unless the soil is severely depleted.

Maintenance for Veronica spicata ‘Glory’ ROYAL CANDLES is generally low. Promptly remove spent flower spikes (deadheading) to stimulate a secondary flush of blooms throughout the season. After the main flowering period subsides, the entire plant can be cut back hard to the basal foliage mound to tidy the appearance until the next flush begins.

Landscape Uses

The compact stature of Veronica spicata ‘Glory’ ROYAL CANDLES makes it exceptionally versatile in sunny landscape designs. It excels when used toward the middle or front of a border, providing vibrant pops of blue-purple that contrast beautifully with softer pastels or bright yellows. Its vertical habit directs the eye through the garden space.

This Spiked speedwell is a fantastic choice for structured settings like foundation plantings or rock gardens where defined form is appreciated. Furthermore, its upright spikes perform admirably as a fresh cut flower, adding vertical interest to summer arrangements. Consider pairing Veronica spicata ‘Glory’ ROYAL CANDLES with mounding plants like Hakone grass or low-growing Sedums for textural variety in beds.

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. ‘Glory’, often sold as ROYAL CANDLES, is an erect, bushy, clump-forming, compact spiked speedwell cultivar which typically grows to only 10-12” tall, topped with dense, vertical, deep blue-purple flower spikes 12” long blooming in late spring to mid-summer. Foliage consists of narrow, lance-shaped, medium green leaves, each to 2” long.

Tolerances

• Rabbit
• Deer

Potential Problems

Generally, Veronica spicata ‘Glory’ ROYAL CANDLES is robust and resists most serious insect or disease issues, contributing to its low maintenance rating. The primary threat involves environmental stress, specifically related to water management. Root rot is a significant risk if the plant is situated in heavy, continually waterlogged, or poorly-drained soils.

To prevent root rot, always improve local soil structure by amending heavy clay with grit, coarse sand, or compost to promote aeration and drainage before planting. Ensure that winter moisture does not stagnate around the crowns, as the plant is particularly sensitive when dormant.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Spiked speedwell suitable for?

Veronica spicata ‘Glory’ ROYAL CANDLES is reliably hardy across USDA Zones 3 through 8, allowing for widespread adaptation in northern and temperate climates.

How large does Veronica spicata ‘Glory’ ROYAL CANDLES grow?

This compact Spiked speedwell typically reaches a height between 0.75 and 1 foot tall, with a comparable spread between 0.5 and 0.75 feet wide.

When does Spiked speedwell bloom?

This cultivar provides reliable color from June straight through August, featuring dense spikes of deep blue-purple flowers during the peak summer months.

Conclusion

Veronica spicata ‘Glory’ ROYAL CANDLES is an outstanding choice for gardens needing compact, vertical structure and rich color with minimal fuss. Its low maintenance needs and strong resistance to common pests make this Spiked speedwell a reliable workhorse. Before planting, confirm that your site receives ample full sun and has soil with sharp drainage, which is the key to enjoying the spectacular blue spikes all summer long.

Companion Planting

Selecting the right partners enhances the visual appeal and overall health of your Spiked speedwell planting. Since Veronica spicata ‘Glory’ ROYAL CANDLES prefers full sun and medium moisture with sharp drainage, choose companions that share similar leanings. Silver-leaved artemisias or lambs’ ears provide cool textural contrast to the deep blue-purple spikes.

For a classic cottage garden look, plant Veronica spicata ‘Glory’ ROYAL CANDLES alongside plants that bloom slightly earlier or later, extending the season of interest. Peonies can provide a spring show that fades before the Spiked speedwell reaches its peak. Afterwards, late-season bloomers like Asters or Ornamental Grasses can take over, maintaining garden structure through autumn.

Wildlife Benefits

The dense flower spikes of Veronica spicata ‘Glory’ ROYAL CANDLES are highly attractive to beneficial insects throughout the blooming period. The tiny, star-shaped flowers offer abundant nectar, making them excellent for attracting various species of native bees searching for food during the summer heat.

Because these flowers are favored by pollinators, incorporating them near vegetable patches can increase fruit set on nearby crops. While the foliage is noted as being deer and rabbit tolerant, the flowers actively invite the good bugs to your garden, supporting the local ecosystem around your beds and borders featuring this popular Spiked speedwell cultivar.