Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Jedi Gem Spike Speedwell: Soft Pink Spires for Late Summer
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Jedi Gem spike speedwell is a light pink form of the speedwell 'Purple Leia'. It grows into an upright clump 28 to 30 inches tall and only 18 to 20 inches wide, topped with slender, tapering spikes packed with tiny pink florets that open from the bottom up. Spent florets drop on their own, so the spikes stay fresh-looking as they keep opening.
Its glossy, dark green leaves have excellent mildew resistance, and bees work it all season.
Jedi Gem at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Veronica 'Jedi Gem' |
| Flowers | Light pink, on slender spikes several inches long |
| Foliage | Glossy dark green, finely toothed |
| Size | 28 to 30 inches tall, 18 to 20 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts early July, peaks late July, long blooming |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 4-8 |
| Light | Full sun to part shade |
| Wildlife | Excellent for pollinators and butterflies; deer resistant |
Spikes on spikes
Lavender and speedwell share a slender, upright flower shape, so they look like relatives in the garden. Jedi Gem's soft pink gives a gentle color shift next to purple lavender, the way pink lavender cultivars do. Its timing is the bonus: it opens in early July and keeps going for many weeks, carrying spiky color well past the lavender harvest.
The one difference is water. Speedwell likes a little more moisture than lavender, so put it on the bed's outer edge, where a hose or a rain gauge can reach it without soaking the lavender. Lay it out in the Companion Plant Planner.
Planting and care
- Site: full sun to part shade, in average, well-drained soil that does not dry out for long stretches.
- Water: steady moisture in hot, dry spells keeps it blooming and stops the lower leaves browning.
- Deadheading: cut each finished spike back to the next pair of side buds.
- Airflow: space plants so air moves through, which helps keep mildew away in humid summers.
- Winter: cut back spent stems in fall or early spring. Good drainage prevents crown rot.
- Dividing: lift and divide crowded clumps every few years in spring.
A cottage-garden cut flower
Jedi Gem is a good cut flower. Cut spikes when the lower half is open and the tip is still in bud. Pink speedwell and lavender stems together make a soft, all-spike bouquet. Plan a cutting bed with the Cut Flower Planner.
Plug tray or bare root
Jedi Gem is offered as a 72-cell plug tray for growers and mass plantings, and as a bare root plant for home borders. See each product page for current availability.
Frequently asked questions
Does it flop?
It has stiff, upright spikes and grows taller than it is wide, so staking is rarely needed in full sun.
Will deer bother it?
Deer tend to leave it alone, which makes it a good partner for lavender in open gardens.
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