Veronica 'Royal Candles'

Veronica 'Royal Candles': Ramrod-Straight Violet-Blue Candles

'Royal Candles' stands at attention like a palace guard who has never cracked a smile. Rigid violet-blue spikes on a bushy little mound that stays exactly where you put it. NO WANDERING ON DUTY.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Veronica spicata 'Glory', sold as Royal Candles
• Common Name: Spike Speedwell
• Height: 30–38 cm (12–15 in)
• Spread: 30–45 cm (12–18 in)
• Flowers: Deep violet-blue, on rigid upright spikes
• Bloom Time: Early to midsummer (June to July), often with a few later spikes if deadheaded
• Foliage: Dark green, in a compact, bushy mound
• Features: Compact and non-spreading, good cut flower
• Plant Patent: PP18,932

Where to Plant: Its size makes it a natural for edging a sunny path or the front of a border. It's tidy enough for containers, rock gardens and small-space plantings, and a mass planting makes a band of blue.

Companion Plants: Sedum 'Fulda Glow' spreads a low 5 to 10 cm mat with red flowers from July to September, right at the feet of the blue spikes. Campanula 'Rapido White' adds white bells at 15 to 20 cm from June to September. Monarda 'Fireball' brings red flowers at 60 to 70 cm from July to September behind them. Blue, white and red make a crisp, tidy edging for full sun or partial sun.

Plant Care: Plant in full sun in average, well-drained soil. It handles sandy soil and some clay, but not winter wet. Water regularly in its first season. Once settled, it needs only occasional watering in long dry spells. Cut off spent spikes to tidy the plant and encourage a few more. A light shear after flowering keeps the mound neat. Cut it back in late fall or early spring. Divide in spring every few years if the clump gets crowded.

History: 'Glory', sold as Royal Candles, was bred in the United Kingdom by Heather and Mike Philpott and introduced in 2001. It's a selection of spike speedwell, Veronica spicata, a species that grows wild in dry, sunny grasslands across Europe and into Asia.

Final Thoughts: Bees and butterflies salute it, deer don't come close. Snip a few for a vase. THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD STARTS HERE.