Spiked speedwell (Veronica 'Purpleicious')

Overview

Veronica ‘Purpleicious’, commonly known as Spiked speedwell, offers reliable texture and vibrant color, making it an excellent choice for adding vertical accents to sunny borders. This erect, bushy cultivar forms neat clumps, topped by dense, dark purple flower spikes that draw the eye upward throughout late spring and summer. As a low-maintenance herbaceous perennial, Veronica ‘Purpleicious’ provides significant garden impact without demanding excessive attention.

This speedwell thrives when positioned in locations receiving full sun, though it can tolerate light shade if cultural needs are met. Its compact size, reaching 1 to 2 feet in height, makes it versatile for various landscape applications, ranging from formal edging to naturalized groupings. Gardeners appreciate the robust nature of Veronica ‘Purpleicious’ for its resilience and its ability to maintain structure even as temperatures rise.

For optimal performance, ensure this variety receives consistent moisture coupled with sharp soil drainage, particularly heading into winter dormancy. The appealing purple racemes provide excellent contrast against the medium green, lance-shaped leaves, establishing Veronica ‘Purpleicious’ as a dependable cornerstone for any perennial garden design.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Plantaginaceae
• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-8
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 1-2 ft
  • Spread: 0.75-1.5 ft
• Bloom Time: May to August
• Bloom Description: Purple
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Water Needs: Medium
• Maintenance Level: Low

How to Grow

The ideal location for planting Veronica ‘Purpleicious’ is an area that receives full sun, though afternoon shade may benefit plants in the hottest climates. Best performance occurs when planted in average, well-drained soil that provides consistent, regular moisture levels. When establishing new plants, ensure the drainage is sharp, especially as winter approaches, as overly wet conditions can increase the risk of root rot.

Consistent care involves maintaining even moisture through regular watering, especially during dry spells, as this variety does not tolerate drought well. Applying an organic mulch around the base of the plant helps regulate soil temperature and conserves vital soil moisture. While heavy fertilization is generally unnecessary, a balanced slow-release fertilizer in spring can support vigorous growth.

Maintenance for this Spiked speedwell is refreshingly simple. Deadheading spent flower spikes promptly is recommended to stimulate further blooming throughout the season. After the main flush of flowers fades, the entire plant may be cut back to the basal growth for a tidier appearance heading into late summer or fall.

Landscape Uses

Veronica ‘Purpleicious’ is perfectly suited for foundational plantings and creating defined border fronts where its upright habit can be fully appreciated. This cultivar excels when best grown in groups or massed, creating broad bands of deep purple color that significantly impact the mid-border layer. Its strong vertical lines make it an excellent textural contrast against mounding or spreading perennials.

For more structured designs, use this Spiked speedwell as a neat edging plant along paths or driveways, capitalizing on its tidy clump-forming nature. Furthermore, the compact nature of Veronica ‘Purpleicious’ lends itself well to container gardening, providing reliable summer color near patios or entryways. Consider pairing it with silver foliage plants or those that bloom yellow for dynamic color contrast.

Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Showy

Noteworthy Characteristics

Veronica is a genus of about 250 species of annuals, perennials and some sub-shrubs mainly from Europe. The 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. ‘Purpleicious’ is an erect, bushy, clump-forming speedwell cultivar that typically grows to 16-20” tall. This plant displays deep purple flower spikes that bloom heavily in late spring to mid-summer.

Tolerances

• Rabbit
• Deer

Potential Problems

Veronica ‘Purpleicious’ is generally regarded as a low-risk plant, suffering from no serious insect or disease problems when correctly situated. The most significant cultural challenge arises from poor drainage; root rot may occur if the soil remains excessively wet, especially during winter months. Fortunately, common garden pests such as deer and rabbits tend to avoid consuming the foliage of this Spiked speedwell.

If root rot becomes a concern, immediately amend the soil structure to improve aeration and drainage. Ensure adequate space between plants to promote good air circulation, which further reduces the low risk of fungal issues. Proper siting is the best preventative measure for enjoying years of vibrant flowering from your Veronica ‘Purpleicious’.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Spiked speedwell suitable for?

Veronica ‘Purpleicious’ is hardy across USDA Zones 4 through 8, offering broad planting adaptability throughout many temperate regions.

How large does Veronica ‘Purpleicious’ grow?

This cultivar typically reaches a mature height between 1 and 2 feet tall, with a spread spanning from 0.75 to 1.5 feet wide.

When does Spiked speedwell bloom?

Veronica ‘Purpleicious’ produces its attractive, dense purple flowers beginning in May and continuing throughout the summer, often lasting until August.

What sun exposure does Veronica ‘Purpleicious’ need?

For the best display of deep purple flower spikes, Veronica ‘Purpleicious’ requires full sun exposure, though it exhibits reasonable tolerance for light shade.

Conclusion

Veronica ‘Purpleicious’ delivers reliable, nearly pest-free performance with a strong vertical component, highlighted by its richly colored blooms throughout the core growing season. Its low maintenance requirements make this Spiked speedwell an invaluable addition for gardeners seeking high impact color. Before planting, confirm your site offers full sun and well-drained soil compatibility within USDA Zones 4-8.

Companion Planting

When planning borders for Veronica ‘Purpleicious’, consider companion plants that thrive in similar sun and moisture conditions. Silver-leaved foliage plants, such as Lamb’s Ears (Stachys byzantina) or Artemisia, provide excellent, cool-colored contrast to the deep purple spikes. Alternatively, pair this Spiked speedwell with lower-growing, mounding plants like Dianthus or true Geraniums that can soften the edges of the garden bed.

Focusing on bloom time complementary plants ensures continuous interest. Combine Veronica ‘Purpleicious’ with early-blooming Peonies or late-blooming Coneflowers (Echinacea). The upright habit of this speedwell works well nestled between billowing ornamental grasses that emerge later in the season, providing structure until the grasses mature.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Spring is the ideal time for cleanup and initial feeding once new growth emerges on Veronica ‘Purpleicious’. Cut back any remaining dried basal growth from the previous season and consider applying a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer. Throughout the summer, maintain consistent moisture and deadhead faded flower spikes regularly to encourage repeat blooming.

During the heat of mid-summer, monitor moisture levels closely, especially if the plant shows signs of wilting, which indicates a need for immediate, deep watering. Avoid over-heavy watering, as this is the prime condition for root rot. In the autumn, after the plant has finished blooming, you may perform a light pruning, cutting stems back by about one-third if you wish to tidy the appearance going into winter.