Hebe

Scrophulariaceae

Hebe

Evergreen shrubs, occasionally trees; flowers occur solitarily or (in cultivars) as showy spikes or racemes; leaves are entire or toothed and often thickened.

Uses

Ornamental shrub, border plant, container plant, coastal garden plant.

Culture

Prefers fertile, freely draining organic soil; plant in full sun and provide shelter from cold and wind for tender species; prostrate species are hardy. Deadhead after flowering. Prune back straggly bushes in early spring.

Propagation

Cuttings may be taken from non-flowering shoots in summer and placed under a cold frame.

Cultivars

Cultivars include:

H. buxifolia: To 1.6 metres tall, flowers are white spikes 2 to 3cm long.
H. x carnea: Spreading shrub to around 1 metre tall, with rose or white flower spikes.
H. speciosa: To 1.7 metres tall, large glossy leaves to 10cm long, reddish to blue or purple flowers, many of the larger leaved cultivars have been bred with this as a parent.
Hebe 'Snowdrift': Compact, evergreen, bushy shrub with narrow, lanceolate leaves and white flower spikes in summer.

Plant Health

Half-hardy to frost-tender, relatively hardy to other conditions; can suffer from scale insects and leaf miners, and downy mildew, leaf spot and honey fungus are potential diseases.

More info

Origins are widespread, but mostly New Zealand, South America, Australia and New Guinea; around 100 species.

Previously, 'Hebe' was included in the genus ‘Veronica.’

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