Honestly, if you’ve ever looked at a flower bed and felt like it was missing some "oomph," you probably just needed more spikes. Not the scary kind. I’m talking about Veronica spicata, also known as spiked speedwell. It’s one of those plants that’s been around forever but still manages to surprise people.
Most gardeners are obsessed with big, blowzy blooms like peonies or roses. They’re great, sure. But a garden full of round shapes ends up looking like a pile of laundry. You need vertical lines to break it up. That’s where spiked speedwell comes in, shooting up these stiff, colorful wands that look like fuzzy lightning bolts stuck in the dirt.
What is Spiked Speedwell, Really?
Basically, it’s a hardy perennial that belongs to the Plantaginaceae family. If that sounds like "plantain," you’re right—it’s a distant cousin to those weeds in your lawn. But it’s the fancy, dressed-up version. Native to Europe and Asia, it has survived centuries of changing garden trends because it’s sort of a tank.
The plant itself forms a tidy mound of green, lance-shaped leaves. Then, around early summer, it sends up those iconic spikes. Depending on the cultivar, you’re looking at colors from a deep, electric blue to bubblegum pink or even a ghostly white.
People often confuse it with Salvia or Lavender. I get it. From ten feet away, they look similar. But look closer. Veronica spicata doesn’t have that Mediterranean, herbal scent, and its flower spikes are much more "solid" and densely packed with tiny star-shaped blossoms.
Why the name Speedwell?
There’s some cool history here. Back in the day, travelers in Ireland were often gifted these flowers to wish them a "speedy" journey—hence "speed well." Others say it’s because the medicinal teas made from the plant worked so fast on coughs and congestion.
🔗 Read more: I Love You Forever I Love You Forever: Why This Specific Phrase Still Breaks Our Hearts
Getting the Dirt Right
It’s not picky, but it has some deal-breakers. If you plant this in a swamp, it’s going to die. Period. Veronica spicata absolutely demands well-drained soil.
I’ve seen people try to baby these in rich, soggy clay, and they just melt. If your soil is heavy, mix in some compost or grit. Better yet, plant them in a raised bed.
Sun is a non-negotiable
You need at least 6 hours of direct sun. If you put it in the shade, the stems get all floppy and "leggy" as they try to stretch toward the light. It’s like a teenager trying to find a cell signal. It’s not a good look. Plus, shade makes them prone to powdery mildew, which turns the leaves into a white, fuzzy mess.
Varieties You’ll Actually Want
Don't just buy the first one you see at the big-box store. Some are way better than others.
📖 Related: When is Father's Day 2026 and Why We Keep Moving the Date
- Royal Candles: This is the gold standard. It stays compact, maybe a foot tall, and the blue is so intense it almost looks fake. It doesn't flop.
- Red Fox (Rotfuchs): If you want pink, this is it. It’s more of a deep rosy-red, and it’s been a garden staple for decades for a reason.
- Icicle: These spikes are pure white and grow a bit taller, sometimes up to two feet. They look incredible in a "moon garden" where they glow at dusk.
- Giles van Hees: A tiny one. It only hits about 6 inches, making it perfect for the very front of a border or a rock garden.
The Secret to Repeat Blooms
Here is where most people mess up. They let the flowers die, turn brown, and then wonder why the plant looks sad in August.
Deadheading is key. When a spike starts to fade and turn brown at the bottom, snip it off. Go all the way down to where the spike meets the leaves. This tells the plant, "Hey, we're not done yet," and it’ll usually send up smaller, secondary spikes. You can keep this going for most of the summer.
In late autumn, I usually just leave the foliage to protect the crown over winter. Then, in early spring, I chop the whole thing back to about two inches from the ground once I see new green growth poking through.
Dealing with the Grumpy Phases
Even a tough plant like spiked speedwell has its bad days.
- The Flops: If your plant is falling over, it’s either getting too much nitrogen (too much fertilizer makes them grow fast but weak) or not enough sun. Stop feeding it so much!
- Aphids: These little sap-suckers love the tender new growth on the spikes. Honestly, a sharp blast from the garden hose usually knocks them off.
- Root Rot: If the leaves turn yellow and the whole thing looks wilted despite the soil being wet, you’ve got rot. You might not be able to save it if it's too far gone, so move the next one to a drier spot.
Who Else Loves It?
Bees. Seriously, it’s like a rave for pollinators. Butterflies and honeybees will swarm a patch of Veronica. If you’re trying to build a pollinator-friendly garden, this is a "must-have." Deer and rabbits, on the other hand, usually leave it alone. The leaves are a bit too "hairy" and tough for their liking, which is a massive win if you live near a woods.
Propagation: Free Plants!
You don't need to keep buying new ones. Every 3 or 4 years, the center of the clump might start to look a bit woody or dead. That’s the plant’s way of saying it’s crowded.
In early spring, dig the whole thing up. Take a sharp spade (or a literal saw, I’ve used a serrated bread knife before) and hack the root ball into 3 or 4 chunks. Make sure each piece has some green shoots and a good set of roots. Replant them, water them well for a couple of weeks, and boom—you’ve got new plants for free.
Actionable Next Steps
To get the most out of your spiked speedwell, start by checking your garden's drainage this week. If you have a spot that stays soggy after rain, avoid it. Instead, pick a sunny, elevated area and plan to plant your Veronica spicata in the spring or early fall when temperatures are moderate.
Once planted, keep the soil moist but not wet for the first month. As soon as the first round of flowers begins to fade in mid-summer, use sharp shears to remove the spent spikes to trigger a second flush of color. If you already have an older clump that looks thin in the middle, prepare to divide it as soon as the ground thaws in March to rejuvenate the plant and expand your garden display.