Veronica 'Purplegum Candles' delivers upright spikes of vibrant purple blooms that create a dramatic vertical accent in sunny garden beds. Its long blooming nature and compact habit make it a favorite for attracting pollinators while providing bold midsummer color. The dark green lance shaped leaves form a tidy base that helps suppress weeds and frame the flower spikes cleanly.
Height & Spread: 18 - 24 in x 12 - 18 in
Bloom Time: Midsummer to early fall
Light Requirements: Full sun
Soil Preference: Well drained, moderately fertile soils
Watering Needs: Moderate; water during extended dry spells
Deer Resistance: Deer and rabbit resistant due to slightly bitter foliage
Native Status
Veronica 'Purplegum Candles' is a cultivated hybrid derived from Veronica spicata and other Eurasian species. While not native to North America, it performs well in temperate gardens and supports beneficial insects.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Bees
- Highly attractive to honeybees, bumblebees, and solitary bees due to its dense nectar rich spikes that bloom over an extended season.
Butterflies
- Visited by skippers, sulphurs, and painted ladies which use the upright blooms as convenient landing platforms.
Beneficial Insects
- Draws hoverflies and predatory beetles which contribute to natural pest control in mixed borders.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations:
- Plant 12 - 18 in apart to allow for airflow and distinct upright form.
Landscape Placement:
- Perfect for sunny edges, pollinator strips, and mid border placement where height and color are needed without bulk.
Companion Plants
- Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote' - Silvery foliage and rich purple flowers harmonize with Veronica and deter pests.
- Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah' - Burgundy tinted blades echo Veronica’s purple blooms and add movement and height.
- Coreopsis verticillata 'Moonbeam' - Soft yellow daisy blooms lighten the scene and contrast with Veronica’s deep tones.
- Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus' - Bold daisy like flowers in complementary hues fill in between the spiky Veronica blooms.
- Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna' - Deep violet spires extend the vertical rhythm and attract similar pollinators.