Veronica spicata, Spiked Speedwell

Common Name: Spiked Speedwell

Veronica spicata, more commonly known as Spiked Speedwell, is usually found in gardens but can be found in the wild (although increasingly rarely nowadays).

It is the county flower of Montgomeryshire in the United Kingdom.
With its striking long flowers it’s a lovely plant that adds interest and enriches any garden. With tall clusters of flowers, mature plants can reach up to 60cm in average garden conditions. Prefers loamy, well-drained soil and some space to spread out a bit. Early-mid summer flowers last for about six weeks with rosy-purple flower spikes up creeping stems.

https://www.uknature.co.uk is a website dedicated to showing the immense diversity of UK nature and wildlife. Our vast range of habitats, from lowland arable to snow covered mountains, from storm-ravaged coastlines to peaceful inland freshwater lakes and rivers, from dry, sandy heaths to deciduous and coniferous forests, all these habitats contribute to the abundance of UK nature. We have wild birds in huge numbers either residing or visiting our shores (597 recorded species as at July 2013) and we must also not forget the humble back garden with its grass lawns, flower beds filled with nectar rich flowers, shrubs and trees, all designed to attract huge numbers of insects such as bees, moths, butterflies and hoverflies; and finally the small ponds which provide safe havens for frogs, toads, newts and even slow worms and grass snakes. www.uknature.co.uk is the showcase for my personal passion, photographing uknature in all its glory. I sincerely hope you all enjoy the fruits of my labours.