Brooke Martin
Veronica spicata 'Royal Candles' is a bushy, upright, clump-forming perennial that produces dense, slender spikes of star-shaped, deep blue-purple flowers from early to late summer. It is regarded by many as the best upright form of Speedwell. This Speedwell variety is sun-loving and performs best in full sun, although in the South, it grows better under partial shade.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sunlight | Full sun to partial shade |
| Soil | Well-drained, moist, slightly acidic pH of 5.5-6.2 |
| Fertilizer | Constant liquid fertilization at 50-100 ppm nitrate or controlled release fertilizer at 1 lb. |
| Watering | Water when the soil is dry, avoid watering leaves |
| Height | 10-12 inches |
| Bloom Time | Late spring to early fall |
| Flower Colour | Deep blue-purple |
| Foliage | Compact, glossy, disease-resistant, deep green |
| Propagation | Vegetative, commonly by tip cuttings and division |
| Temperature | Heat and cold hardy in Zones 3-8, flowers at 60-68°F |
| Uses | Rock gardens, borders, edging, containers |
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What You'll Learn
Royal Candles is a sun-loving cultivar
The key to successfully growing Royal Candles is providing it with very good drainage and the right amount of sunlight. It is a durable plant with a low, compact mat of attractive 2" long leaves, and it puts on a stunning display of deep purple-blue flower spikes. The best flower size is achieved by growing at temperatures averaging 60° F.
Royal Candles is easily cultivated in average garden conditions in sun to part sun locations. It is a standout bloomer, colouring the garden from late spring into mid-summer. To force it into bloom out of season is relatively easy, but there may be complications that alter your ability to schedule blooming plants predictably.
This cultivar has many distinguishing characteristics, such as a compact growth habit, reaching only 10-12 inches tall; clean leafy foliage topped with numerous vertical flower spikes; and deep blue-purple flowers. It is both heat and cold hardy in Zones 3-8 and performs best when grown in a moist, well-drained medium with a slightly acidic pH of 5.5-6.2.
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It performs best in partial shade in the South
Veronica spicata 'Royal Candles' is a sun-loving, bushy, upright, clump-forming perennial. It is regarded by many as the best upright form of Speedwell. While it thrives in full sun, in the South, it performs at its best when grown under partial shade. This is because the South tends to be warmer, and therefore full sun may be too intense for the plant.
Royal Candles produce dense, slender spikes of star-shaped, deep blue-purple flowers from early to late summer. The flowers open from the base upward and sway above the bushy foliage mound of lance-shaped, deep green leaves. The bottom foliage of this variety does not die out, which, coupled with its compact habit, makes it ideal for the front of the border, as an edging, or in containers.
Royal Candles are vegetatively propagated, most commonly by tip cuttings and division by licensed propagators. They perform best when grown in a moist, well-drained medium with a slightly acidic pH of 5.5–6.2. Good drainage is key to success. They are both heat and cold hardy in Zones 3–8.
To force Royal Candles into bloom, cooling plugs or small containers at 41°F for a minimum of six weeks is recommended. They will flower under any photoperiod after the cold requirement has been achieved. The time from vernalization to bloom depends on temperature. For instance, Royal Candles grown at 68°F will take eight weeks to reach flowering, while plants grown at 60°F will flower in 11 weeks.
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It's a compact, clump-forming cultivar
Veronica spicata 'Royal Candles' is a compact, clump-forming cultivar, reaching a height of only 10-12 inches. It is a bushy, upright, clump-forming perennial that produces dense, slender spikes of star-shaped, deep blue-purple flowers from early summer to early fall. The plant is attractive to butterflies, and its flowers open from the base upward, swaying above the bushy foliage mound of lance-shaped, deep green leaves.
This cultivar is well-suited for rock gardens, as a border plant, or in containers. It is both heat and cold hardy in Zones 3-8 and performs best when grown in a moist, well-drained medium with a slightly acidic pH of 5.5-6.2. It requires either a constant liquid fertilization program at rates of 50-100 parts per million (ppm) nitrate or a controlled-release fertilizer.
Veronic 'Royal Candles' is a sun-loving plant, and it prefers full sun, although in the South, it performs best when grown under partial shade. It is important to note that the plant's height may vary depending on the climate and growing conditions. To control the height, chemical plant growth regulators can be used, such as Sumagic, applied at 5 parts per million.
For continuous blooming, it is recommended to deadhead or remove the old blooms. 'Royal Candles' is easily cultivated in average garden conditions and can be forced into bloom out of season. It is a durable plant with a low, compact mat of attractive, glossy, disease-resistant leaves. Overall, 'Royal Candles' is a standout bloomer that adds colour to gardens from late spring to mid-summer.
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It requires good drainage
Veronica spicata 'Royal Candles' is a sun-loving plant, but it also needs good drainage. While it thrives in full sun, partial shade is recommended in the South. In addition to sunlight and drainage, there are several other factors to consider when growing Royal Candles.
Firstly, it is important to ensure that the plant is getting enough water. The best way to check this is to touch the soil around the roots. If the soil feels moist, then the plant does not need to be watered. If the soil is dry, it is recommended to water the plant thoroughly with a hose without a nozzle, directing the water onto the soil rather than the leaves. Checking the soil moisture at a depth of around 3 inches will help determine whether the plant needs watering.
Secondly, the type of soil and its pH level are crucial. Royal Candles grow best in slightly acidic soil, with a pH range of 5.5 to 6.2. This preference for slightly acidic soil means that it is important to ensure the soil has a good structure and drainage to prevent waterlogging, which can negatively impact the plant's health.
Additionally, the spacing between plants is important. Providing adequate space between each plant will reduce stretching caused by competition for sunlight and resources. While chemical plant growth regulators may be used in some cases, proper spacing can help reduce the need for such interventions.
Fertilization is another key aspect of successful growth. Royal Candles require a moderate amount of fertilizer, which can be provided through a constant liquid fertilization program at a rate of 50 to 100 parts per million (ppm) of nitrate. Alternatively, a controlled-release fertilizer can be incorporated at a rate equivalent to 1 pound.
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It's easy to cultivate in average garden conditions
Veronica spicata 'Royal Candles' is a sun-loving, clump-forming, bushy cultivar that is easy to cultivate in average garden conditions. It is a favourite perennial and one of the showiest, longest-blooming selections in its genus. It is a durable plant with a low, compact mat of attractive 2" long, glossy, disease-resistant leaves. It puts on a stunning display of deep purple-blue flower spikes that last from late spring to early autumn.
The key to successfully cultivating Royal Candles is good drainage. It performs best when grown in a moist, well-drained medium with a slightly acidic pH of 5.5-6.2. It is a moderate feeder and needs either a constant liquid fertilisation program at rates of 50-100 parts per million (ppm) nitrate or a controlled-release fertiliser.
Royal Candles can be propagated by cooling plugs or small containers for a minimum of six weeks at 41°F. They will flower under any photoperiod after the cold requirement has been achieved. The time from vernalization to bloom is a function of temperature. For example, Royal Candles grown at 68°F will take eight weeks to reach flowering, while plants grown at 60°F will flower in 11 weeks.
Royal Candles is both heat and cold hardy in Zones 3-8. It is an excellent, smaller plant with tremendous amounts of purple spikes all summer long. It is ideal for the front of the border, as an edging, or in containers, where it will create a dramatic impact.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Royal Candles are sun-loving plants. However, in the South, they perform best when grown under partial shade.
The easiest way to tell is to touch the soil around the roots. If it is moist, there is no need to water. If it is dry, give it a good soaking with the hose end (no nozzle) and water the soil only, not the leaves.
Royal Candles perform best when grown in a moist, well-drained medium with a slightly acidic pH of 5.5-6.2. It is a moderate feeder and needs either a constant liquid fertilization program or a controlled-release fertilizer.
