Product Description
Veronica 'Wizard of Ahhs' PP31044 CPBRAF (25) Bare Root Plants
MAGIC SHOW® Collection
Common Name: Spike Speedwell
This plant brings the "oohs" and "ahhs" with its early blooming performance, outstanding flower color, and impeccable habit. One of the earliest Veronica to bloom, this plant produces thick spikes of violet blue flowers that cover the top half of a low, wide habit.
Veronica is highly valued for its ease of growth and long bloom time. The spiky flowers are an excellent contrast to the more common rounded flower shapes like Shasta Daisies, Coneflower, and Black Eyed Susans. Expect bees to be buzzing about this plant when in bloom.
This perennial is tolerant of a wide range of well-drained soil types. Amending soils, especially very heavy and light types, with generous amounts of organic matter will result in improved performance. Although tolerant of partial shade, it will flower better in full sun. Deadheading will promote additional blooms. Shear back the foliage if it becomes worn-looking after flowering.
Height: 14.0-16.0 Inches
Spread: 18.0-22.0 Inches
Hardiness Zones: 4,5,6,7,8
Flower Color: Purple shades
Foliage Color: Green shades
Full Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun)
Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun)
Average to Consistent Water Needs
Soil Quality: Average to Fertile Soil Quality
Bloomtime: Early Summer to Midsummer, Long Blooming
Attracts Butterflies
Bee Friendly
Deer Resistant
Growth Rate: Medium
Border Plant, Container, Cut Flower, Easy To Grow, Mass Planting, Salt Tolerant
Veronica 'Wizard of Ahhs' is a standout selection of speedwell, celebrated for its early bloom time compared to other Veronica varieties. This compact and floriferous plant, reaching a height of 1.5 feet with a 2-foot spread, produces spikes of vibrant cobalt blue flowers from late spring or early summer through mid-summer. It is a member of the Magic Show series, a collection of exceptional Veronica cultivars known for their outstanding performance and unique characteristics. Bred by Hans Hansen in the Walters Gardens breeding program, 'Wizard of Ahhs' is an improvement over 'Hocus Pocus' in the Proven Winners® perennial lineup. The genus name Veronica honors Saint Veronica, who offered a handkerchief to Jesus to wipe his face on the way to Calvary. Some Veronica plants have markings that resemble the markings on the sacred handkerchief.
'Wizard of Ahhs' is one of the earliest Veronica varieties to bloom. The flowers open from the base upward and create a captivating display as they sway above the bushy foliage. The rigidly upright flower stalks are a rich cobalt blue, adding vertical interest to the garden. Each bloom spike can reach about a foot in length and maintains its vibrant color for several weeks. At its peak, the upper two-thirds of the plant is adorned with blossoms. The flowers self-clean, ensuring a tidy appearance throughout the blooming season. This Veronica boasts an impeccable habit, with showy blossoms that persist over an extended period on well-branched stems. The foliage consists of lance-shaped, toothed, green leaves, providing a lush backdrop for the vibrant flowers.
Growth Habit, Size, and Hardiness Veronica 'Wizard of Ahhs' exhibits a bushy, upright growth habit, forming attractive clumps in the garden. It typically reaches a height of 1.5 feet with a spread of 2 feet. This perennial thrives in hardiness zones 4 to 8 and can withstand temperatures as low as -30°F.
Care and Cultivation Veronica 'Wizard of Ahhs' is a low-maintenance and easy-to-grow perennial, making it an excellent choice for gardeners of all levels. It is relatively pest and disease-free, although it may show some susceptibility to mildew. To prevent powdery mildew, provide supplemental water during the summer heat, but avoid overhead watering, which can create conditions that favor mildew development. This Veronica is a favorite of butterflies and hummingbirds, but deer and rabbits tend to avoid it.
For optimal growth and flowering, plant 'Wizard of Ahhs' in a location that receives full sun and has average, medium moisture, well-drained soil. It prefers consistently moist soil with good drainage, especially during the winter months. Amending the soil with organic matter can enhance its overall performance. Applying an organic mulch helps to regulate soil moisture and suppress weeds. To maintain a tidy appearance and promote continuous blooming, deadhead, or shear back the faded flower spikes. If the foliage becomes worn-looking after flowering, it can be sheared back by half. In late autumn, if not already done, prune the plant down to the basal growth. 'Wizard of Ahhs' requires vernalization, a period of cold exposure, to initiate flowering. It is also salt tolerant, making it a suitable choice for coastal gardens or areas with salty soil. Divide the plants every 3 years in spring or fall to maintain their vigor and prevent overcrowding.
Uses in the Landscape Veronica 'Wizard of Ahhs' is a versatile plant that can be incorporated into various landscape designs. Its compact size makes it well-suited for smaller garden spaces, while its upright habit adds vertical interest to borders and flower beds. It can also be used in container gardens, where its vibrant blue flowers create a striking focal point. In larger garden beds, 'Wizard of Ahhs' can be planted in groupings to create a mass of color and texture.
Veronica 'Wizard of Ahhs' is a valuable addition to any garden. Its early and prolonged bloom time, vibrant blue flowers, compact growth habit, and low-maintenance nature make it a favorite among gardeners. This versatile perennial thrives in a variety of settings, from small gardens and containers to larger borders and mass plantings. It is also a valuable asset to pollinator gardens, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds while resisting deer and rabbits. The 'Wizard of Ahhs' truly lives up to its name, enchanting gardeners with its magical display of color and its ability to thrive with minimal care.
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!
