Veronica spicata Erika

Veronica spicata 'Erika' is a variety of Speedwell that stands out for its compact habit and brightly coloured, long-lasting summer flowering. Its dense spikes packed with tiny vivid pink flowers, rise above abundant dark green foliage. This lovely perennial forms a floriferous mass, covered in butterflies in borders or flower pots. It is very hardy and will grow in any well-drained to dry garden soil, in full sun. Its flowers are perfect for bouquets.

Veronica spicata Erika is from the Plantaginaceae family and is derived from Veronica spicata, or spike speedwell, a perennial plant that mainly grows in mountains up to 2000 metres (6562 feet) in altitude, and occasionally in plains. It can be found in meadows, dry grasslands, rocky slopes and forest edges, mostly on limestone soil.

The 'Erika' variety forms a low, well-branched, floriferous tuft about 30 cm (12in) high and 45 cm (18in) wide. Its leaves can be opposite, but are often whorled in groups of three or four. They are fairly narrow and lanceolate, 6 to 12 cm (2 to 5in) long, with a short petiole, deeply toothed, dark green with a hint of grey. The flowering period extends from June to August, provided that faded flower spikes are regularly removed. The inflorescences are very dense racemes (clusters), resembling compact spikes, tightly packed with tiny, tubular, bright pink flowers with hints of red consisting of four petals and two protruding stamens. The nectar-rich flowers attract numerous pollinating insects.

Veronica Erika is a hardy plant that prefers well-drained, dry soil and will thrive in many regions, including mountain gardens. It goes well with lots of plants and creates beautiful summer compositions in borders, at the front of large beds, in rockeries, and in containers on the terrace. Plant it with Nepetas, Galliums, Heleniums, Astilbe 'Vision in Pink', Filipendula rubra 'Venusta', and Sidalcea, for example. In a wilder style, this perennial forms a very successful combination with shorter grasses like Carex, Festuca, stipa... Its flowers can be used to create beautiful bouquets, with pink or red roses, hydrangeas, ranunculus, asters.