Leaf
Liliane Roubaudi, Tela Botanica · CC BY-SA 2.0
Spiked speedwell
Veronica spicata L.
Also known as: Spike speedwell
Family: Plantaginaceae
20 to 50 cm tall
Dry meadows, gardens, rock gardens, free-draining soils
Flowering: June – September
Full sun
Hardy to -25°C
❓ How do you recognise this plant?
Its long upright blue-violet spikes make it a reliable choice for perennial borders to attract butterflies. Spiked speedwell bears its blue-violet flowers grouped in an upright spike at the top of the stems, whereas germander speedwell is a small carpeting perennial with bright blue flowers borne singly in the leaf axils.
🍃 Leaves
Narrow, lanceolate, toothed, bright green
🌸 Flowers
Long, upright spikes of small blue-violet flowers
🍎 Fruits
Small flattened capsules
🪵 Bark
Upright clump, sparsely branched stems
🗺️ Distribution
Europe, temperate Asia; found in dry meadows and calcareous banks in France, fairly localised.
🐝 Value for pollinators
Dense blue-violet spikes, very rich in nectar, attractive to bees and butterflies in summer.
✂️ Horticultural uses
Perennial borders, edging, rock gardens; upright summer flowering much appreciated in a sunny border.
⚠️ Possible toxicity
No known toxicity.
⚠️ Look-alike species
Spiked speedwell
Veronica spicata
Germander speedwell
Veronica chamaedrys
Spiked speedwell bears its blue-violet flowers grouped in an upright spike at the top of the stems, whereas germander speedwell is a small carpeting perennial with bright blue flowers borne singly in the leaf axils.
🌿 Other Plantaginaceae to discover
ℹ️ Educational profile — do not use it to judge whether a plant is edible or safe.
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