Listen to Paul Parent and David Wilson as they discuss Veronica ‘Royal Candles’ on the February 12, 2006 The Paul Parent Garden Club radio show [6:33 minutes]
I first heard about this exquisite plant around 4 years ago. A gardening friend in England was raving about it. She had it in her garden and was waxing lyrically about the neat, compact habit, myriads of striking blue flowers, improved disease resistance, and it's easy to care benefits. Other English gardeners obviously liked it too, for it was voted Plant of the Year by a highly respected chain of garden centers. It proved so popular there, that it received the very same honor the following year. That's two years in succession!
When our Garden Splendor® growers added this to our plant development program, I of course had to try it out in my garden, and boy it did perform! It is doing beautifully. After testing and enjoying it for two complete seasons in our northeastern climate, I hope you'll think about finding a place for it too.
This is truly, a superb perennial – perfect for adding a touch of elegance to beds, borders, rock gardens, and alongside pathways. Each of the delightful, violet-blue spikes is composed of dozens of densely arranged, miniature florets, that open from the base upwards and last for a remarkably long period (often several weeks). When the spent blooms are removed, they will re-flower and prolong your enjoyment. With me, it starts flowering around late spring, (a few weeks earlier in milder zones). With a little of this care, the bloom period can be extended through summer and well into autumn.
Hardy to zone 4 and above, it grows well in ordinary, reasonably well-drained soil. Except for the dead heading, an occasional trim, and some supplemental watering during dry periods, it has minimal care requirements, and has proven to be an excellent performer in all sorts of areas ranging from sun to partial shade.
It originated as a spontaneous seedling in the garden of amateur gardeners Mike & Heather Philpott in Kent, England. They noticed it growing amongst the other varieties of Veronica in their garden. Heather was impressed with the compact habit and the sturdiness of the rich, dark “royal” blue flowers. Visitors often admired it, and when one commented that the yellow tip on the flower spikes resembled a flame on a candle, the name ‘Royal Candles’ was born.
This cheery little aristocrat grows to only 12-16” tall, it forms a slowly spreading, rounded clump and with it's easy to tend disposition makes a wonderful addition to gardens of all sizes.
With its great color and diminutive size, there are so many ways to incorporate ‘Royal Candles’ into an existing landscape. The dark, violet-blue color looks beautiful with all colors and will thrive as a single specimen, massed plantings, or as a colorful ground cover in containers.
Veronicas have provided value both in and out of the garden for more than a thousand years. They are common wildflowers in Europe, growing by the waysides, and throughout the centuries have greeted weary travelers, hence the common name – Speedwell.
Visit our Plant Encyclopedia to learn more about veronicas, their background and cultural requirements. And, of course, pop into the garden center soon because a plant this good is sure to be snapped up quickly.
Garden Splendor® plants are Plants Worth Remembering.®
Until next time, remember.... Enjoy your gardening. It's good for you!
