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You want a speedwell that fits your garden’s shape, not one that flops or sprawls. The three strongest perennials here differ mainly in height, bloom time, and how they behave after planting, so you can match one to your bed without guesswork.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind Gardening Beyond. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
Whether you crave a compact violet spike or a sprawling ground cover, these speedwell perennial flowers each earn a place in the border for their reliable return every season.
Our Picks at a Glance
How To Choose The Best Speedwell Perennial Flowers
Speedwell, also known as Veronica, splits into two distinct growth styles. Spiked types send up tall flower wands that stand above the foliage, while creeping types spread low and act as living mulch. Spiked types suit borders, while creeping types handle slopes.
Match the growth habit to your space
A compact spiked speedwell reaches around 17 inches and stays tidy in a perennial bed. A creeping speedwell tops out near 12 inches and works better under shrubs or between stepping stones. Measure your bed’s length and width to match the plant’s mature spread.
Know your hardiness zone
Speedwells are hardy perennials, but not all versions tolerate the same cold. Some thrive in USDA zones 5 through 9, while others stretch into zone 4. Verify your USDA zone falls within the plant’s listed range to ensure winter survival.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Mature Height | Bloom Period | Plants Included | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veronica ‘Royal Candles’★ Best Overall | Compact borders & cut flowers | 17 inches | Summer | 1 | Amazon |
| ‘Georgia Blue’ Creeping Speedwell | Slopes & ground cover | 12 inches | Spring to Summer | 1 | Amazon |
| ‘Very Van Gogh’ Spiked Speedwell | Tall color & autumn bloom | 24 inches | Summer to Fall | 2 | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Perennial Farm Marketplace Veronica spicata ‘Royal Candles’
Our pick — over 4★ from 30+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
A tidy violet wand that stays under 17 inches yet blooms with surprising abundance.
‘Royal Candles’ earns the top spot because it solves the classic speedwell problem: many types flop or spread too wide, but this compact Veronica keeps its deep violet-blue spikes held well above the foliage, so the color reads clearly from across the bed. It flowers heavily in June and July, and because it is a cut flower, you can bring those spikes indoors without sacrificing the display.
Owners consistently describe the packaging as almost excessive, with detailed instructions on transitioning the plant after arrival. Several noted the plants arrived healthy though on the smaller side, and one buyer simply sliced off the root-bound bottom with a trowel before planting, after which the flowers appeared quickly. It is a fully rooted plant ready for immediate planting, and at 17 inches it stands exactly halfway between the shorter ground cover and the taller Van Gogh below.
This variety is notably free of the leaf spot, disease, and insect problems that can plague other veronicas, according to the grower. It needs good drainage and moderately fertile, loamy soil, with plants set 18 inches apart. Note that it ships only to specific states and is hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9, so check those restrictions before ordering.
Why It Wins
- Compact 17-inch height suits small borders
- Resists leaf spot and common insects
- Blooms abundantly in June and July
Before You Order
- Restricted from shipping to several western states
- Plants arrive small and may be root-bound
Reach for this if: you want a neat, disease-resistant spike for a sunny border with minimal fuss.
Think twice if: you live in the restricted western states or want instant full-size plants on day one.
2. Greenwood Nursery ‘Georgia Blue’ Creeping Speedwell
A low evergreen carpet of periwinkle blue that shrugs off slopes and hungry deer.
This is the speedwell for problem spots, not the border. At just 12 inches tall, the ‘Georgia Blue’ spreads as a ground cover across sloped areas, under shrubs, in containers, and in rock gardens, where its light green leaves turn a coppery bronze in fall. The periwinkle blue flowers open in early spring around April for roughly a month, depending on your location.
The trade-off is patience. Buyers report that these plants come small and will not flower the first year, but the next spring they “magically quadruple in size and are covered in blooms,” as one owner put it. That same buyer noted the wait was worth it and that every color they purchased grew the same way. Full sun and well-drained soil keep it happiest, and it tolerates rabbits and deer.
At 24 inches of eventual spread against its 12-inch height, this is a spreading plant by design, so give it room to wander. The seller backs orders with a 14-day guarantee, and while some buyers saw plants thrive, others had mixed luck with survival, so plant promptly and water immediately on arrival for the best odds.
Where It Shines
- Evergreen foliage for year-round color
- Deer and rabbit tolerant
- Handles slopes and rock gardens
The Catch
- No flowers in the first year after planting
- Survival reports are mixed across buyers
Best if: you are covering a slope or bare patch and can wait a year for the payoff.
Not for: anyone who expects instant blooms or wants a vertical border plant.
3. Greenwood Nursery ‘Very Van Gogh’ Spiked Speedwell
The tall showstopper whose pink-purple spikes shift color through the day.
If you want height and a long season, this is the speedwell. Reaching 24 inches, it towers a full 12 inches over the Georgia Blue ground cover, and its long spiky flowers vary in shades of pink to purple depending on the time of day, the lighting, and the surrounding plants. Blooming from summer into autumn, it stretches the speedwell season well past the others.
You get two pint pots in one order, which is double the plant count of the Royal Candles single container. Buyers repeatedly praise the healthy, green condition on arrival, with soil still moist and no brown spots or broken pieces. Planting companions like snowcap shasta daisy and Mellow Yellows Echinacea are suggested to contrast its pink-purple tone, while blackeyed susans can grow too large and overwhelm it.
The honest caveat is the mixed feedback on size, with some buyers finding plants larger than expected and others calling them very small, and a few reporting wilting shortly after unpacking. It is a deciduous perennial hardy in zones 4 through 8, deer resistant, and best planted in full to part sun with well-drained soil.
What Stands Out
- Tallest of the three at 24 inches
- Blooms from summer into fall
- Two plants included per order
Know This
- Arriving size varies from small to large
- Some plants wilt quickly if not planted right away
Grab this for: a back-of-border anchor with a long bloom window and graceful movement in the breeze.
Skip if: you have only a tiny spot, since 24 inches of height needs room to breathe.
Understanding the Specs
Mature Height
This number tells you whether the speedwell will stand in the middle of a border or lie flat as a carpet. A 17-inch spiked type reads as a mid-border plant, while a 24-inch type belongs near the back, and a 12-inch creeping type stays at the front or on a slope.
Bloom Period
Speedwells bloom at different times, so check the season before you buy. Summer bloomers like the Royal Candles peak in June and July, while the Van Gogh stretches from summer into fall, and the Georgia Blue opens early in spring. Pairing them extends your color for months.
FAQ
What is the difference between spiked and creeping speedwell?
How tall will speedwell perennials grow?
Will speedwell flower in its first year after planting?
What USDA hardiness zones can speedwell tolerate?
Does speedwell need full sun or shade?
Is speedwell deer resistant?
Can speedwell be used as a cut flower?
How far apart should I plant speedwell?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most gardeners, the speedwell perennial flowers winner is the Veronica ‘Royal Candles’ because it pairs a tidy 17-inch habit with disease resistance and abundant summer blooms. If you want a low carpet for a slope, grab the ‘Georgia Blue’ Creeping Speedwell. And for tall color that runs into autumn, the ‘Very Van Gogh’ Spiked Speedwell is the one to reach for.
How We Picked
We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.
Sources & Methodology
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of August 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
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