How to Prune Spike Speedwell
Spike speedwell is a flowering perennial plant that is also known as Veronica spicata. It grows to 2 feet tall and requires little maintenance besides a bit of pinching and pruning to keep it compact and bushy and flowering all summer. It’s well suited to USDA climate zones 3 to 8 (Minnesota to Florida) in sunny locations with sandy or loamy clay soil.
Deadhead spent flowers by cutting them off at their base after they bloom. This will encourage the plant to continue producing more flowers.
Pinch spike speedwell back in late spring by removing the growing tips and first set of leaves. You can use your fingernails for this task, but be sure to pinch it off above a node, where a branch or leaf emerges. Pinching in this manner helps the plant to remain bushy and encourages new growth on which flowers will form.
- Spike speedwell is a flowering perennial plant that is also known as Veronica spicata.
- Pinching in this manner helps the plant to remain bushy and encourages new growth on which flowers will form.
Cut spike speedwell back to its basal foliage in October or November, removing all tall flower spikes down to their base and leaving just the bottom leaves of the plant. If you apply a layer of compost, wood chips, sawdust or other mulch at this time, it will help protect the plant against cold winter temperatures.
Prune the root system of this plant in spring or fall when it creates a large clump. Dig it up, divide the root system into several chunks, cut off all dead roots and trim all roots into a compact ball shape. Pruning the roots of perennials will stimulate new growth. Replant each chunk about 1 foot from each other.
Deadhead Or Prune Speedwell
Pinch the tips and first set of leaves of young speedwell plants as soon as you plant them as bedding plants or seedlings in spring. Removing the tips, using scissors or your fingernails, forces the plants to branch out and create bushy, compact growth. Deadhead speedwell throughout the growing season by pinching or clipping off old, wilted blooms down to the next flower bud or leaf. Cut tall varieties of speedwell back to about 6 inches in height if the plants look tired and leggy in midsummer. Pruning in autumn is best if you prefer a tidy wintertime garden; however, leaving the plants intact until spring adds interest to the garden and provides seeds for songbirds.
- Cut spike speedwell back to its basal foliage in October or November, removing all tall flower spikes down to their base and leaving just the bottom leaves of the plant.
- Prune the root system of this plant in spring or fall when it creates a large clump.
Related Articles
References
- University of Minnesota: Pruning Perennials
- BackyardGardener.com: Veronica Spicata
- The Gardener's A to Z Guide to Growing Flowers from Seed to Bloom; Eileen Powell
- Yardener: Veronica
- Ohio State University Extension: Speedwell; A Good Choice for Low-Maintenance Perennial Gardens
- University of Illinois Extension: Fall and Winter Care
Writer Bio
Barbara Fahs lives on Hawaii island, where she has created Hi'iaka's Healing Herb Garden. Fahs wrote "Super Simple Guide to Creating Hawaiian Gardens" and has been a professional writer since 1984. She contributes to "Big Island Weekly," "Ke Ola" magazine and various websites. She earned her Bachelor of Arts at University of California, Santa Barbara and her Master of Arts from San Jose State University.
