Veronica Magic Show® 'Ever After'

Veronica Magic Show® 'Ever After': Lavender-Blue Spikes for Happily Ever After

'Ever After' is a fairy tale with no cleanup. Long lavender-blue spikes, and the spent flowers tidy themselves away like an enchanted housekeeper is on duty. HAPPILY EVER AFTER, NO DEADHEADING.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Veronica hybrid
• Common Name: Spike Speedwell
• Series: Magic Show®, a Proven Winners® perennial
• Height: 36–41 cm (14–16 in)
• Spread: 41–51 cm (16–20 in)
• Flowers: Lavender-blue spikes up to about 30 cm (12 in) long
• Bloom Time: Early to midsummer (June to July)
• Foliage: Green, in a compact, upright clump
• Features: Long blooming, self-cleaning flowers, salt tolerant

Where to Plant: Use it near the front of a sunny border, in a pollinator bed or in containers, where the tall spikes add a vertical line. It's also good for cutting, and because it tolerates salt, it's a fair choice near a driveway or sidewalk.

Companion Plants: Plant Magic Show® 'Ever After' in a sunny or part-shade bed with yellow geum, a pink peony and ivory daylilies. Geum Tempo™ 'Yellow' opens semi-double yellow flowers at 35 to 50 cm from April to June. Paeonia 'Paula Fay' adds shocking pink semi-double peonies at 90 cm in May and June. Hemerocallis 'Arctic Snow' brings ivory-white daylilies at 60 cm in July and August. Miscanthus sinensis 'Adagio' rises at 120 to 150 cm with very narrow, silvery blades.

Plant Care: Plant in full sun in average to fertile, well-drained soil. Mixing in compost helps in heavy clay or very sandy ground. Keep it evenly watered, especially through its first summer. Deadhead the spent spikes to encourage more flowers. If the clump looks tired after blooming, shear it back and fresh leaves will follow. Cut it to the ground in late fall or early spring. Divide in spring every few years if the centre thins out.

History: 'Ever After' comes from the breeding program at Walters Gardens in Zeeland, Michigan, under hybridizer Hans Hansen. It's similar to its Magic Show® sibling 'White Wands', with lavender-blue flowers instead of white.

Final Thoughts: Deer, salt and lazy gardeners are all welcome. Bees and butterflies sign up. WRITE YOURSELF A HAPPY ENDING.