Veronica Royal Candles ('Glory') is an herbaceous perennial offering summer interest. The plant blooms continuously and abundantly throughout summer, setting flower spikes that are full and dense with deep violet-blue blooms. Borne on leafy stems that rise to only about 3 inches tall, the flower spikes grow vertically up to another 12 inches long, tapering toward the top. Nectar-rich, the flowers are irresistible to butterflies and hummingbirds; extremely showy, they are superb cut flowers for summer bouquets.
A Veronica spicata, commonly called speedwell or spiked speedwell, Veronica Royal Candles is a compact, clump-forming plant that grows to only 10 to 12 inches tall, with a similar spread. It has an upright, erect, bushy habit of narrow, lance-shaped, medium green leaves, which do not die out, unlike other selections of speedwells. Shown to best effect massed or grouped, Veronica Royal Candles is a great bed, border, or container plant and makes great edging.
Cold hardy, low maintenance, and easy to grow, Royal Candles grows best in a sunny to partially sunny location with average, evenly moist, well-draining soil and thrives in rich loams. It tolerates light shade and drought and is deer and rabbit resistant. Deadheading faded flowers promotes additional blooms. Fertilize yearly in spring.
