Veronica 'Pink Candles' is a compact upright perennial known for its vibrant rose pink flower spikes that bloom from early to mid summer. The slender vertical habit creates a striking visual accent and its strong stems keep the blooms upright without staking. Its long flowering season and low maintenance needs make it ideal for sunny mixed borders or pollinator friendly plantings.
Height & Spread: 18 - 24 in x 12 - 18 in
Bloom Time: Early to mid summer
Light Requirements: Full sun
Soil Preference: Average to well drained soils; tolerates sandy and loamy conditions
Watering Needs: Moderate; water regularly during dry periods
Deer Resistance: Seldom browsed by deer due to bitter tasting foliage
Native Status
This variety is a cultivar of Veronica, a genus native to Europe and western Asia. It is widely cultivated for ornamental use and is adaptable to North American gardens.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Bees
- Visited frequently by honeybees, bumblebees, and small native bees for its long lasting nectar supply during the summer.
Butterflies
- Attracts butterflies including Painted Ladies and Skippers, offering nectar during peak flight periods.
Beneficial Insects
- Draws hoverflies and predatory wasps that contribute to garden pest control.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations:
- Space plants 12 - 18 inches apart for dense flowering clumps and airflow.
Landscape Placement:
- Excellent for edging sunny borders, butterfly gardens, and as vertical accents in rock gardens or containers.
Companion Plants
- Echinacea purpurea 'PowWow White' - Compact white blooms contrast beautifully with pink spikes and share pollinator appeal.
- Achillea millefolium 'Cerise Queen' - Flat topped blooms add contrast in shape and texture while supporting similar insects.
- Coreopsis verticillata 'Zagreb' - Mounding golden flowers brighten the base of Veronica and fill space without competition.
- Stachys byzantina (Lambs Ear) - Silvery foliage offers visual softness and highlights the bold flower spikes.
- Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna' - Deep purple flower wands enhance the vertical rhythm and bloom simultaneously.