What garden should be without some spiky purple/blues? Veronicas have the nice feature of dense, compact foliage offset by tall flower spikes that start blooming from the bottom and work their way up to the tips. This makes the long period of bloom stretch even longer. And it makes deadheading quite easy too.
The recent cultivars of Veronica, like 'Sunny Border Blue' and 'Goodness Grows', are worth seeking out for their wide adaptability, tolerance to drought, pest resistant foliage and, of course, their ability to repeat bloom throughout the growing season.
Veronica 'Sunny Border Blue' (USDA Zones 3 - 8, 24" x 18", Violet-Blue Blooms: Repeat Bloomer
Alternatives:
- Salvia nemorosa (Meadow Sage) 'May Night' (USDA Zones 4 - 9, 18" x 18", Deep Purple Blooms: Repeat Bloomer)
- Lavandula augustifolia (English Lavender) 'Buena Vista' (USDA Zones 5 -10, 24" x 18", Fragrant, Purple & Violet Blooms: Mid- & Late Summer)
