Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Blue Skywalker Speedwell: Tall Blue Spires for the Lavender Edge
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Blue Skywalker spike speedwell is the speedwell for gardeners who want height without giving up much ground. It grows as a tight, narrow column of dark green leaves, and the top half of the plant fills with slender lavender-blue spikes that open from the bottom up.
Next to lavender it reads almost like a taller cousin. The flower shape is similar, the color is close, and it keeps that spiky look going after the main lavender harvest is done.
Blue Skywalker at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Veronica 'Blue Skywalker' |
| Flowers | Lavender-blue spikes, roughly 4 to 10 inches long |
| Foliage | Dark green, lance-shaped, finely toothed |
| Size | 28 to 30 inches tall, 18 to 20 inches wide |
| Bloom | A long summer run, starting around early July and peaking late July, with moderate rebloom |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 4 to 8 |
| Light | Full sun to part sun |
| Wildlife | Excellent for pollinators; deer resistant |
Where it fits beside lavender
Most lavenders top out as rounded mounds. Blue Skywalker stands taller and straighter, so it works well one row back from the lavender or at the corners of a bed, where a vertical accent pulls the eye.
The one difference to plan for is water. Speedwell likes a little more moisture than lavender, so give it the edge of the bed that catches a bit of runoff or the occasional drink from the hose, and keep the lavender on the drier, higher ground. For a fuller look, pair it with something round, such as coneflowers or black-eyed Susans, so the spikes have a contrast to play against.
Sketch it out in the Companion Plant Planner before you plant.
Planting and care
- Site: full sun gives the sturdiest stems; it tolerates part sun.
- Soil: average and well drained, but not one that dries out for long stretches.
- Water: steady moisture during the first season and in hot, dry spells, when bloom slows and lower leaves can brown.
- Deadheading: cut each finished spike back to the next pair of side buds. Those buds become the next round of flowers.
- Airflow: space plants so leaves dry quickly. Powdery and downy mildew and leaf spot are the usual speedwell troubles in humid summers.
- Winter: hardy in Michigan within its zone range. Cut back spent stems in fall or early spring and avoid soggy winter soil, which invites crown rot.
- Dividing: lift and split crowded clumps every few years in spring.
For the vase
Blue Skywalker rates as a good cut flower. Cut spikes when the lower third has opened and the tips are still in bud; they will keep opening in water. A handful of speedwell spikes with fresh-cut lavender makes a simple, all-blue bouquet.
Plug tray or bare root
It is offered as a full 72-cell plug tray for growers and anyone potting up their own stock, and as a bare root plant for planting straight into the garden. See each product page for current availability.
Frequently asked questions
Will Blue Skywalker flop over?
It is bred for a stiff, upright habit and usually stands on its own. Rich soil and too much shade are what make speedwell lean, so keep it in sun and skip heavy feeding.
Is it fragrant like lavender?
No. It has no notable fragrance. It earns its spot with color, shape and the steady stream of bees it brings.
Do deer eat speedwell?
Deer tend to pass it by, which makes it a useful partner for lavender in open, rural gardens.
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