Spiked Speedwell 'Purple Illusion'
Veronica Magic Show® 'Purple Illusion'
A compact, floriferous speedwell in the Magic Show® series, forming a tidy mound densely packed with upright spikes of rich, rosy-purple flowers over glossy dark green foliage.
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Veronica Magic Show® ‘Purple Illusion’ is a compact spiked speedwell that packs an enormous number of upright, densely flowered spikes onto a tidy, rounded mound — the effect from a distance is almost a solid block of rich purple. Glossy, dark green foliage forms a full canopy that keeps the plant looking good even between flushes of bloom.
A long season of purple spikes
Flowering runs from early into midsummer, and because ‘Purple Illusion’ was bred for a strong repeat bloom, shearing the spent spikes after the first flush reliably triggers a second round later in the season. Bees and butterflies work the flowers heavily throughout.
Care tips
Give it full sun and average, well-drained soil enriched with compost for the best performance; it tolerates a bit of shade but blooms less densely. Water regularly but avoid wetting the foliage, since good airflow and drier leaves help keep powdery mildew at bay. Shear after the first bloom, cut the whole plant back in late fall or early spring, and divide every few years to keep clumps vigorous. Deer generally leave it alone.
Fun Fact
'Purple Illusion' is part of Walters Gardens' Magic Show® series, bred specifically to keep the tidy, non-flopping habit and long bloom season of the original 'Royal Candles' while expanding the color range — this one channels the deep purple of the older 'Sunny Border Blue' into a much more compact plant.
Habitat & form
Where it's from and what to expect.
- Native range
- Garden hybrid (the species is native to Europe and northern Asia)
- Plant type
- Perennial
- Mature size
- Compact mound 16–18 in. tall and 16–18 in. wide.
- Bloom
- Dense spikes of rich purple flowers from early to midsummer, with a strong repeat bloom if sheared after the first flush.
- Hardiness
- USDA zones 4–8.
Care
How to keep it happy.
- Sunlight
- Full sun for the sturdiest habit and best bloom; tolerates part sun (4–6 hours).
- Water
- Average water; prefers evenly moist, well-drained soil. Avoid overhead watering to help prevent powdery mildew.
- Soil
- Average, humus-rich, well-drained soil. Amend heavy or poor soils with compost before planting.
- Planting distance
- 16–18 in apart.
- Propagation
- Divide in spring
- Pruning
- Maintenance: low. Shear back after the first flush of bloom to encourage reflowering, and cut the clump to the ground in late fall or early spring. Divide every few years.
- Pet safety
- Non-toxic