Bubblegum Candles Speedwell
Bubblegum Candles Speedwell (Veronica spicata 'Bubblegum Candles')
Bubblegum Candles Speedwell is a compact perennial that packs bright pink flower spikes into a small footprint for long-season color. It creates a neat, low mound that makes borders look finished and keeps containers looking full without constant fuss. The blooms draw pollinators and repeat well, so you get multiple waves of color through summer. If you want an easy plant that stays tidy while still showing off, this speedwell fits the role.
Distinctive Features
This selection produces short, dense spikes of bubblegum-pink flowers held above glossy green foliage on a compact, low-mounding plant. Bloom typically starts in early summer and continues into late summer, especially when spent spikes are trimmed back. The habit stays tight and garden-friendly, making it easy to weave into mixed plantings without crowding neighbors. Its clean foliage and strong flowering make it a reliable choice for bright, upbeat color in sunny spots.
Growing Conditions
- Sun: Full sun to part sun, with best flowering in full sun.
- Soil: Well-drained soil, and avoid heavy, wet ground that stays soggy.
- Water: Moderate water to establish, then low to moderate once rooted, watering during extended drought for best bloom.
- USDA Zones: Zones 4 to 8.
- Mature Size: About 8 to 12 inches tall and about 10 to 12 inches wide.
- Habit: Low-mounding and compact, with a slightly spreading profile as it matures.
Ideal Uses
- Focal Point: Plant a tight group near the front of a bed so the vivid pink spikes create a clear burst of color at eye level.
- Border Front: Use along paths and bed edges for a tidy ribbon of summer bloom.
- Containers: Grow in pots where the compact habit stays neat and the flower spikes read clearly.
- Pollinator Plantings: Add to sunny beds to support bees and butterflies through the bloom season.
- Mass Planting: Repeat in small drifts for a stronger color statement and a more designed look.
- Rock and Gravel Gardens: Use in well-drained sites where compact plants stay clean and resilient.
Low Maintenance Care
- Trimming: Shear or deadhead spent spikes to encourage repeat bloom and keep the plant tidy.
- Watering: Water during drought, especially in full sun, to maintain steady flowering.
- Drainage: Prioritize sharp drainage to help prevent stress and improve longevity.
- Cleanup: Cut back old stems in late fall or early spring before new growth starts.
- Division: Divide clumps every few years if the center thins or if you want to expand your planting.
Why Choose Bubblegum Candles Speedwell?
- Compact Color: Delivers bright pink spikes on a small, tidy plant that fits anywhere.
- Repeat Bloom: Keeps flowering through summer when trimmed after the first flush.
- Easy Mixing: Works with coneflowers, catmint, salvias, and ornamental grasses for clean layering.
- Pollinator Friendly: Flowers attract beneficial visitors and add life to the garden.
- Deer Resistance: Foliage is often less appealing to deer and rabbits than many soft-leaved perennials.
Give Bubblegum Candles Speedwell sun, drainage, and a quick trim after blooming, and it will keep delivering color for months. Its compact size makes it especially useful where you want strong bloom without a sprawling plant. In beds or containers, it brings a crisp, cheerful look that stays controlled and easy to maintain.
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