Veronica spicata Nana Blue

Veronica spicata 'Nana Blue' is a recent selection of speedwell that stands out for its low growth and beautiful, bright blue-violet flowers. It is a robust and hardy perennial plant that forms a spreading clump and flowers for a long time in summer. The flower spikes are erect and sculptural, covered with small star-shaped, stunning intense lavender-blue flowers. It thrives and spreads in sunny borders, slopes, and rock gardens, in ordinary but well-drained soil.

Veronica spicata, is a perennial plant from the plantain family (Plantaginaceae), formerly classified in the figwort family (Scrophulariaceae). It is mainly found from Europe to Turkey, in central and eastern Asia, where it grows in mountainous areas, up to 2000 metres (6562 feet) above sea level, and occasionally in lowlands. It can be found in meadows, dry grasslands, rocky slopes, and at the edge of forests, mostly on limestone soil. It adapts well to most gardens, as long as the soil is well-drained.

The 'Nana Blue' variety has compact, bushy, and vigorous growth, reaching a height of 15 cm (6in) for the foliage and 30 cm (12in) when in bloom. It spreads to a diameter of 30-40 m (98-131ft) from its powerful semi-woody crown. Its hairy stems branch out in the upper part and bear leaves that can persist during winter. The beautiful dark green leaves are ovate to linear, with a finely toothed edge. From July to August and sometimes until September, floral stems densely covered with tiny star-shaped blue-lilac, nectar-rich flowers are produced, attracting bees. The plant can self-seed in light soil.

Veronica spicata 'Nana Blue' will thrive in any well-drained, even rocky and limestone soil, as long as it stays moist in summer, preferably in full sun. It is particularly suitable for a mountain garden with rocky soil. It will be very useful for underplanting shrub roses or planting in raised beds, on slopes, in rock gardens, or even in flower pots at the base of taller plants. It can be paired with echinaceas, perennial or shrubby salvias. Its relatively flexible blue spikes add height and colour to a low-growing border composed of ground-hugging plants such as aubrietas, wall bellflowers, rock soapwort, or cerastiums. The dwarf spike speedwell can also be used as a solitary plant or in the spaces between paving stones. Its flowers are beautiful in summer bouquets.