Magic Show® 'Purple Illusion' Spike Speedwell

The Magic Show® 'Purple Illusion' Spike Speedwell, a Veronica hybrid, is a perennial marvel with its striking attributes. Featuring thick, rosy purple flower wands atop a rounded, low clump of deep green foliage, it brings a touch of enchantment to any garden space. With a mature size ranging from 16 to 18 inches in height and spread, this award-winning plant is both compact and tidy, making it an ideal choice for combination containers or for planting near the front of the border.

Thriving in part sun to sun exposure, it blooms profusely throughout the spring and summer seasons, adding dynamic color to the landscape. Not only is it visually captivating, but it also attracts butterflies and hummingbirds while repelling deer, enhancing its allure in the garden. Easy to maintain, it requires only average soil fertility and watering needs, thriving best in well-drained soil enriched with humus and provided with full sun exposure. After blooming, a simple shearing back ensures continued growth and a tidy appearance. Versatile in its uses, it serves as a charming border plant, container filler, or mass planting option, promising to infuse any outdoor space with its vibrant presence and lasting beauty.

The Magic Show® 'Purple Illusion' Spike Speedwell offers versatile landscaping uses to enhance any outdoor space:

• Border Plant: Create colorful borders along garden beds or pathways with the 'Purple Illusion' Spike Speedwell's vibrant purple flowers and compact growth habit.
• Container Filler: Add visual interest to containers and pots by incorporating this perennial as a filler plant, where its charming blooms can be showcased up close.
• Mass Planting: Plant multiple 'Purple Illusion' Spike Speedwell specimens together to create a stunning mass planting effect, adding bursts of color and texture to larger garden areas.
• Cut Flower: Harvest the long-lasting blooms of the 'Purple Illusion' Spike Speedwell to create beautiful floral arrangements for indoor enjoyment.
• Landscape: Incorporate this versatile plant into various landscape designs, including contemporary and rustic styles, to add dynamic color and texture to the garden.
• Wildlife Garden: Attract butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden with the 'Purple Illusion' Spike Speedwell's nectar-rich flowers, enhancing the garden's biodiversity and ecological value.

Planting and caring for the Magic Show® 'Purple Illusion' Spike Speedwell is straightforward, ensuring optimal growth and bloom performance:

Planting:

1. Choose a location with well-drained soil enriched with humus for best results.
2. Select a spot that receives part sun to full sun exposure, as this will encourage abundant flowering.
3. Dig a hole slightly larger than the plant's root ball and place the Spike Speedwell in the hole, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil.
4. Backfill the hole with soil and gently pat it down to remove air pockets.
5. Water thoroughly after planting to help settle the soil around the roots.

Care:

1. Watering: Once established, the Spike Speedwell is relatively drought-tolerant, but regular watering is necessary, especially during hot, dry periods. Water deeply, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
2. Fertilizing: Feed the plant with a balanced fertilizer in early spring, following the manufacturer's recommendations for application rates.
3. Pruning: After blooming, shear back the plant to encourage bushier growth and prolong flowering. Remove spent flower spikes to promote continuous blooming.
4. Mulching: Apply a layer of organic mulch around the base of the plant to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and maintain a consistent soil temperature.
5. Winter Care: In colder climates, apply a layer of mulch around the base of the plant to protect the roots from freezing temperatures.
6. Pest and Disease Control: The Spike Speedwell is relatively pest and disease-resistant, but keep an eye out for common garden pests such as aphids or powdery mildew, and treat as necessary.
7. Division: Every few years, divide mature plants to rejuvenate them and maintain vigor. Dig up the plant in early spring or fall, divide the root ball into smaller sections, and replant the divisions in well-prepared soil.By following these planting and care guidelines, you can enjoy the beauty and vibrancy of the Magic Show® 'Purple Illusion' Spike Speedwell in your garden for years to come.