Spiked speedwell

Spiked speedwell: how do you recognise it?

Habit

Compact clump 30–60 cm tall and 30–45 cm wide.

Leaves

Opposite, lance-shaped, 3–8 cm, finely toothed; green to grey-green.

Flower

Dense, slender spikes of tiny flowers with four petal lobes and two protruding stamens, from June to August.

Colour

Violet-blue; cultivars in pink, deep pink and white.

Roots

A compact, slightly creeping rootstock; the clump widens slowly.

Flowering: June–August · Plants: March–May and September–October · Pruning: March and July

Why grow it?

• Straight, slender spikes in blue, pink or white, from June to August.
• A second flush of flowers if you cut off the faded spikes in time.
• Bees, bumblebees and butterflies flock to it.
• Drought-tolerant and compact: perfect for the front of a sunny border, a rock garden or a pot.
• Also suitable as a cut flower for a small posy.

Spiked speedwell: where does it grow best?

• Full sun: in shade it flowers less and the spikes flop.
• Free-draining sandy or loamy soil; acid, neutral or chalky.
• Dry to normally moist; it dislikes wet feet in winter.
• Plant 30–40 cm apart, preferably in groups of three to five.

Light

Sun

Soil type

Sand or loam

Acidity

Not fussy

Moisture

Dry or normal

Size

0.4 m tall, 0.4 m wide

Hardiness

Hardy (to -30 °C)

Goes well with

• Yarrow: Flat flower heads beside upright spikes, in the same sunny, dry border.
• Lamb’s ear: Silvery-white leaves that make the blue spikes glow.
• Garden pink: Grey leaves and scented flowers at the front of the border.
• Rock rose: Low flowers for sun and drought, a pretty edging in front of the spikes.

Spiked speedwell: when and how to plant it?

Plant in March–May and September–October.

1. Plant from March to May or in September–October, when the soil is neither frozen nor too wet.
2. Loosen the soil; in heavy soil mix in some coarse sand.
3. Set the plant at the same depth as in the pot and firm the soil well.
4. Leave 30–40 cm between plants.
5. Water in well and in dry weather for the first few weeks.

Care

Watering

In dry weather during the first weeks after planting. After that only in long dry spells; in a pot, regularly.

Feeding

In poor soil, a thin layer of compost in March. Too much fertiliser gives floppy spikes.

Deadheading

In July, cut faded spikes back to the first sturdy pair of leaves: a second flush often follows.

Support

Usually not needed. In rich soil or for taller cultivars, a few twiggy sticks help.

Dividing

Every 3–4 years, lift and divide the clump if it flowers less in the middle.

Tip: In July, cut faded spikes back to the first sturdy pair of leaves: you will get a second flush of flowers in August.

Spiked speedwell: when to prune it?

Pruning months: March and July.

When: Cut off faded spikes in July for a second flush. In March, cut last year’s dead stems back to just above the ground.

How:

• After the first flush, cut faded spikes back to the first sturdy pair of leaves.
• After the second flush, you can leave the last spikes for a winter silhouette.
• In March, cut all dead stems back to just above the young leaves at the base.

Pruning: when and how · Pruning calendar and basic rules

Propagation

Division

In March–April or September–October, lift the clump and split it with a spade or knife into pieces with roots and buds. Replant straight away.

Cuttings

In April–May, cut young shoots of 5–8 cm at the base and insert them in sandy cutting compost. They root within a few weeks.

Spiked speedwell: how does it get through the winter?

Hardy to −30 °C.

• Fully hardy, to about −30 °C: no protection needed in Belgium.
• In winter, wet, heavy soil is a bigger risk than frost: choose a well-drained spot.
• In a pot: stand it on pot feet against a wall so the water can drain away.

Diseases and pests

• Powdery mildew: White powder on the leaves, especially in dry late summers. Water in dry spells, give space and cut off affected leaves.
• Root rot: The clump fails to reshoot in spring. The cause is wet soil in winter. Replant in a drier, well-drained spot.
• Slugs: They eat the young shoots in spring. Pick them off in the evening or set a beer trap.
• Flopping spikes: In soil that is too rich or in too much shade the stems go weak. No feeding and more sun help.

Through the year

• March: Cut away dead stems. Plant or divide.
• April: Planting. Take cuttings.
• May: Planting. Watch for slugs.
• June: Flowering begins.
• July: Cut back faded spikes for a second flush.
• August: Second flush. Water in long dry spells.
• September: Plant or divide.
• October: Plant or divide.
• December: Rest. Leave the last spikes standing.

Good for wildlife

Bees

Nectar and pollen for honeybees and wild bees.

Butterflies

Nectar for butterflies.

Did you know?

• The spikes open from the bottom up, so a single spike carries buds, open flowers and faded flowers at the same time.
• Speedwell flowers have only four petal lobes and two stamens.
• Following DNA research, the genus Veronica was moved from the figwort family to the plantain family.