Spiked Speedwell Blue is a beautiful and distinctive flower. Speedwell is a member of the plantain family (Plantaginaceae), along with: Daisy, Snapdragon, Starwort, Small Starwort, Spring Snapdragon, Marjoram, Foxglove, Woolly Foxglove, Globeflower, Linal Snapdragon, Alpine Snapdragon, Linal, Shoreweed, Plantain, Ribwort Plantain, Field Speedwell, and Lesser Speedwell. It is a large genus of plants. Some plants are perennial herbs, but there are also annuals. Spiked Speedwell is native to Europe and Asia. From the following countries: Afghanistan, Albania, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Germany, Philippines, France, Greece, Ireland, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Maldives, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Netherlands, Nepal, Uzbekistan, Austria, East Timor, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Taiwan, Thailand, Czech Republic, Turkmenistan, United Kingdom, Vietnam, South Korea, Sweden and Switzerland. Here it grows mainly in the mountains. This makes this plant very suitable for use in rock gardens, as a joint filler in dry stone walls, and between stones and paving. Spiked Speedwell prefers a sunny spot with moderately nutrient-rich soil. This low-maintenance plant boasts beautiful, colorful, and abundant blooms. Place the plant in a slightly moist spot. This spiked speedwell can be planted solo or in clusters. Speedwell combines well with, among others: Feather Grass, Moor Grass, Fountain Grass, Sage, Coneflower, Yarrow, Catnip, Lupine, Verbena, Stonecrop, Daisy, Bellflower, and Autumn Anemone.
Spiked Speedwell can be found in roadsides, grasslands, and in bright spots in deciduous woodlands. It is a striking blue. The blue flowers are upright and grow in clusters. They have upright stems and dark green, lance-shaped leaves. Spiked Speedwell is very easy to care for. Spiked Speedwell also makes a beautiful cut flower. Spiked Speedwell is very popular with bees, bumblebees, hoverflies, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Spiked Speedwell is a host plant for various butterflies, including the Tiger Blue. Spiked Speedwell flowers from June till October. Hardy perennial. Height: 80 - 120 cm.
Indoor sowing: March - May
Outdoor sowing: May - June
Germination: 10 - 14 days
Germination temp.: 15 - 22 °C
Sowing depth: shallow
Planting distance: 40 - 50 cm
Planting position: sunny
Flowering period: June - October
Sow indoors from March onwards in trays filled with well-moistened potting soil. Sow thinly and shallowly. Gently press the seeds into the soil. Cover the seeds with a very thin layer of soil. Speedwell germinates in light. Keep the temperature as even as possible and do not allow it to drop, especially at night. Cover the trays with a lid. Remove the lid once the seeds germinate. At this point, the temperature can be lowered to 16–18°C. Transplant the young seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. Keep the seeds moist and weed-free. In early May, the young seedlings should be placed outdoors during the day to harden off. Harden them off for about 10–14 days. After this, they can be placed in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Maintain a distance of 40 - 50 cm. Never allow Spiked Speedwell to dry out.
Sow outdoors from May onwards, as soon as there is no longer a risk of night frost. Sow the seeds thinly and shallowly. Gently press the seeds into the soil, ensuring good contact between the seeds and the soil. Sow in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Keep the seeds moist and weed-free. Once the young seedlings are large enough to handle, they can be thinned to 40 - 50 cm. Regularly remove spent flowers. Spiked Speedwell can be propagated every 2 - 3 years by dividing the plants. Do this in spring.
