How about a photo, so we could see it.

I don't know...

When I had "Icicle" it didn't look like you described. The buds didn't curl over, and my clumps were pure white, nothing wishy-washy about them. My guess is you don't have the true "Icicle".

Here's photo I found of "Icicle". I see what you mean about the curling in the photo - mine did do that to some extent. When you described curling I pictured looping over (forming more of U-shape), which mine did not do.

Anyway, the flowers of my "Icicle" very much resembled the picture.

A photo of yours would help, then we could take a look at what you have. :0)

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:262006}}

I don't think I got a pic of it in bloom (done now). I might have taken one for an ID if I had thought it was anything other than that cultivar. But it is indeed 'Icicle' (or at the very least V. spicata, lol!). Looks just like the pic in the link except for flower color. Has the same soft serration on the leaves, flower height and habit the same, anther and fillament the same (looks similar to V. gentianoides to me).

The foliage in that pic is a tad darker, but I suspect it has less sun exposure than mine did in that first spot. Maybe mine will darken up a bit in the slightly shaded position it is in now.

I looked again an there seems to be some Proliferation on the plant as well; a side flower head comming of of the original spent ones. Very interesting, but I imagine it will go away like most proliferation does. I think it is fairly common on Veronica anyway.
I suppose I could have gotten a dud plant. It happens. ;-)
CMK

'Icicle' is one of my favourite veronicas. Very tough and sturdy, no fungus or other leaf diseases that seem to plague other veronicas. My other favourite is 'Giles van Hees' a cute dwarf pink one, good for the rock garden, and a late bloomer.

I hate mine. It's always been a major flopper for me. Never upright - always laying on the ground and has never increased. If mine looked like mxk3's, I'd be really happy.

Deanna

'Giles van Hees' is the only Veronica I grow. I shovel pruned 'Sunny Border Blue' so long ago I can't remember why. I love spikey flowers and wish for more good performing ones.

I always try to dissuade folks from "Sunny Border Blue" - always seems a mildewy mess with funky deformed-looking foliage and squat flower spikes, nothing graceful about it, unlike other Veronica cultivars. My favorite is "Blue Charm", long, slender lavender flowers - lovely, graceful flowers :0)

These non-dwarf cultivars respond well to staking. I use a grow-through peony hoop, just set that up as soon as new growth emerges, the foliage completely hides the hoops yet is well supported.

That is not my "Icicle" veronica, it's a pic from a website, don't have "Icicle" pic of my own. :0)

Mine have floppy foliage but the blooms shoot straight up. I like them because they don't seem to require a lot of sun and they are so easy to propogate. I divided an old clump and they grew into two plants. The best way to increase them is to take cuttings, put rooting hormone on end, stick in the ground and cover with a jar or clear container for a couple weeks or so. They are the easiest flower I've seen to root.

I bought it @5-6 yrs ago to balance out the white as I have white flox on the other side of the bed. Mine didn't look that great for the first couple of years. However, it has gotten better and better as the years went by. I love it now! I cut back the foliage in spring/early summer . . . not as tall but it doesn't flop at all. Mine is in full sun.
I totally agree with ontnative:"Very tough and sturdy, no fungus or other leaf diseases that seem to plague other veronicas"
Give it a few years .....