spiked speedwell
Veronica spicata 'Blue Bouquet'
Also Known As - speedwellCycle:
Herbaceous Perennial
Watering:
Average
Hardiness Zone:
3 - 8
Flowers:
Blue Flowers In Summer
Sun:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade
Fruits:
blue Fruits In Autumn Ready In Fall
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green
Growth Rate:
High
Maintenance:
Low
Drought Tolerant:
Yes
Salt Tolerant:
Yes
Care Level:
Moderate
watering
Spiked speedwell (Veronica spicata 'Blue Bouquet') is a low-maintenance variety of flowering perennial that prefers well-draining soil and partial to full sunlight. The plant appreciates a thorough soaking when watered and should be watered once or twice a week, depending on the weather conditions. During the hot summer months, the soil should be kept consistently moist and the plant should be watered more frequently. Watering is best done in the morning or evening, allowing the foliage time to dry off before nightfall. If the soil starts to dry out between waterings, give your plant a thorough soaking. As a general guideline, Spiked Speedwell should receive about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water each week.
sunlight
Spiked speedwell (Veronica spicata 'Blue Bouquet') prefers full sun to partial shade. It can tolerate some shade but too much shade can cause the plants to become leggy and may cause the flowers to be less abundant. In full sun, flowers will be more plentiful and the plants will stay more compact. For best performance, give your spiked speedwell at least 6 hours of direct sun per day. Avoid hot afternoon sun, which can cause some leaf scorching or damage.
pruning
Spiked Speedwell (Veronica spicata) should be pruned in the spring just as new growth appears. Pruning should remove the flower stems as soon as they are spent by either cutting them away from the base of the plant or pinching them away from the plant. This should be done regularly, ideally every 1 to 2 weeks throughout the flowering season. Additionally, pruning should also lightly trim any new growth that is taller or thinner than the surrounding growth to encourage a full, mounded plant shape and to maintain uniformity. After the end of the flowering season, an extra session of pruning should take place to remove any leggy stems and tired foliage, and to tidy the overall shape of the plant. As Spiked Speedwell can produce a lot of runners, any shoots that stray outside the desired area can be cut away to contain the plant and promote a bushier growth habit.
