How to plant and care for Veronica (Speedwell)

Veronica spicata 'Royal Candles'

🌸 Flower 🔁 Perennial

Neat, upright spikes of deep violet-blue from June to August. Compact enough for the front of a border or a pot, and loved by bees.

When to plant and care for it

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Flowers

Timed for a typical UK garden (last frost mid-April). The app uses your own town's frost dates.

On planting day
Plant
Plant at the same depth as it was in its pot, 30 cm apart, and firm in.
0–1 days after “Plant”
Water In Well
Give a full can of water, then keep moist for the first few weeks while roots establish.
7–14 days after “Water In Well”
Mulch Around the Base
Spread 5 cm of compost or bark around the plant, keeping it off the stems.

March
Cut Back Old Growth
Cut last year's dead stems and leaves to the ground before the new shoots get going.
June
In Flower
Violet-blue spikes in flower.
July
Deadhead
Cut faded spikes back to the leaves for more flowers.