Royal Candles Speedwell Plant

Veronica Royal Candles ('Glory') is an herbaceous perennial offering summer interest. The plant blooms continuously and abundantly throughout summer, setting flower spikes that are full and dense with deep violet-blue blooms. Borne on leafy stems that rise to only about 3 inches tall, the flower spikes grow vertically up to another 12 inches long, tapering toward the top. Nectar-rich, the flowers are irresistible to butterflies and hummingbirds; extremely showy, they are superb cut flowers for summer bouquets.

A Veronica spicata, commonly called speedwell or spiked speedwell, Veronica Royal Candles is a compact, clump-forming plant that grows to only 10 to 12 inches tall, with a similar spread. It has an upright, erect, bushy habit of narrow, lance-shaped, medium green leaves, which do not die out, unlike other selections of speedwells. Shown to best effect massed or grouped, Veronica Royal Candles is a great bed, border, or container plant and makes great edging.

Cold hardy, low maintenance, and easy to grow, Royal Candles grows best in a sunny to partially sunny location with average, evenly moist, well-draining soil and thrives in rich loams. It tolerates light shade and drought and is deer and rabbit resistant. Deadheading faded flowers promotes additional blooms. Fertilize yearly in spring.