Speedwell (Veronica 'Hocus Pocus')
Veronica 'Hocus Pocus' Speedwell offers dazzling violet-purple spikes in summer. A low-maintenance perennial for sunny borders.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Veronica ‘Hocus Pocus’ is a standout cultivar of Speedwell, prized by gardeners for its elegant vertical accent and rich color palette. This clump-forming perennial reliably sends up narrow, wand-like spikes of violet-purple flowers, providing excellent late-season interest when many spring bloomers have faded. Its performance is consistent, delivering low-maintenance beauty crucial for busy landscape designs.
As a member of the Plantaginaceae family, this Speedwell cultivar brings texture and reliable structure to garden beds. It thrives in full sun conditions, provided it receives adequate moisture, creating a pleasing contrast between its dark foliage mound and the bright flower wands. Gardeners appreciate Veronica ‘Hocus Pocus’ for its adaptability as an edging plant or when successfully massed throughout a sunny border.
The foliage forms a bushy mound beneath the flowering stems, offering sturdy, green texture throughout the growing season. The long bloom period from June through August ensures sustained color. For gardeners seeking reliable performance and striking vertical elements without demanding intense care, Veronica ‘Hocus Pocus’ represents an outstanding choice among herbaceous perennials.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Plantaginaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1-1.5 ft
- Spread: 0.75-1 ft
- Bloom Time: June to August
- Bloom Description: Violet purple
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
For optimal performance, plant Veronica ‘Hocus Pocus’ in the spring or fall in average, medium-moisture, well-drained soil. While it prefers the intensity of full sun, it can tolerate light shade, although flowering may be slightly diminished. Sharp soil drainage is essential, particularly during winter months, to prevent crown rot issues common in overly saturated soils.
Consistent, regular moisture is key during the growing season—think medium water needs, not drought-tolerant once established. Apply a layer of organic mulch around the base of the plants to help regulate soil temperature and conserve moisture, reducing the need for frequent watering. Beyond mulching, its cultural requirements are minimal.
Deadheading spent flower spikes is recommended; this simple practice encourages the plant to produce additional flushes of bloom throughout the summer. If the plant becomes tired or overly leggy after its main show, you can cut the entire clump back hard to the basal growth to encourage new, tidy foliage before the next season begins.
Landscape Uses
Veronica ‘Hocus Pocus’ excels when used to define the edges of a garden bed, acting as an excellent edging plant due to its manageable height of 1 to 1.5 feet and upright habit. It provides vital vertical punctuation among shorter perennials or mounding groundcovers, especially effective in rock gardens where good drainage is naturally achieved.
For a dramatic sweep of color, consider planting Veronica ‘Hocus Pocus’ in groups or massed plantings throughout sunny borders and foundation plantings. The upright flower spikes catch the eye beautifully against structures or backdrop plantings. It also performs admirably in containers, pairing well with trailing or mounding annuals and perennials that offer textural contrast.
Its sharp, neat habit makes it a versatile choice for nearly any sunny spot needing structure and reliable mid-summer color. This Speedwell cultivar integrates seamlessly into cottage gardens or modern mixed perennial borders alike.
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. ‘Hocus Pocus’ is a clump-forming speedwell cultivar noted for producing narrow, wand-like, unusually long, violet purple flower spikes which sway above the foliage on stems rising to 16-20” tall. Toothed, lance-shaped, green leaves form a bushy foliage mound beneath these striking blooms.
Tolerances
- Rabbit
- Deer
Potential Problems
Veronica ‘Hocus Pocus’ is generally robust, suffering from no serious insect or disease problems when sited correctly. The primary risk comes from overly wet, poorly-drained soils, which can lead directly to root rot, especially overwinter. Ensure your garden spot drains sharply to mitigate this vulnerability. Gardeners should take note that deer and rabbits tend to avoid this particular variety.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Speedwell suitable for?
Veronica ‘Hocus Pocus’ is reliably hardy across USDA Zones 4 through 8, making it adaptable to many climates across North America.
How large does Veronica ‘Hocus Pocus’ grow?
This Speedwell typically reaches a modest height between 1 and 1.5 feet tall, with a spread of approximately 0.75 to 1 foot wide.
When does Veronica ‘Hocus Pocus’ bloom?
This cultivar provides excellent summer color, blooming generally from June through August with distinctive violet purple flower spikes.
What sun exposure does Veronica ‘Hocus Pocus’ need?
It thrives best when planted in locations receiving full sun exposure, though it tolerates light shade if necessary.
Conclusion
Veronica ‘Hocus Pocus’ remains a top contender for structured, low-maintenance color in the sunny garden, delivering unique violet-purple spikes through the height of summer. This versatile Speedwell is valued for its robust habit and pest resistance, making it a reliable staple. Check your local hardiness zone compatibility and plan to incorporate this attractive perennial into your borders this coming planting season.
Companion Planting
Selecting good companions for Veronica ‘Hocus Pocus’ involves pairing it with plants that share its love for full sun and medium moisture but perhaps offer different textures or bloom times. Consider planting it alongside silvery foliage plants like Lamb’s Ears (Stachys byzantina) to contrast with the dark green leaves. For complementary late-season interest, pair this Speedwell with shorter Coneflowers (Echinacea) or Asters that bloom slightly later in the fall.
When designing borders, remember that the upright spikes of this Speedwell look excellent next to mounding plants like Coral Bells (Heuchera) or ornamental grasses, which offer movement and softness around the base of the structural flower wands. Good drainage remains the common cultural requirement for all companions in this grouping.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Spring Cleanup: Once new growth begins emerging following the last hard frost, clean up any fallen debris from winter. A light application of balanced, slow-release fertilizer is optional but can support robust summer flowering.
Summer Maintenance: Monitor soil moisture carefully, especially during dry spells, ensuring the medium moisture needs of Veronica ‘Hocus Pocus’ are met for best flowering performance. Promptly remove spent flower spikes to promote rebloom.
Autumn & Winter: After the foliage dies back following the first hard frosts, cut the stems back toward the ground. Ensure the site has sharp drainage heading into winter; an organic mulch applied after the ground freezes can offer extra protection in the colder end of its hardiness range (Zone 4).
