Hebe

Family: Scrophulariaceae
Common Name: Veronica

These popular, evergreen, flowering shrubs are mostly indigenous to New Zealand and nearby islands. Many members of this genus were preÂviously included with Veronica or Parahebe. Hebe makes pretty garden ornamentals or hedges, with its attractive foliage and small brushes of white, blue, crimson, pink or lilac flowers. Some species have broad leaves, while others have small, conifer-like foliage. Most species of hebe have a long flowering period.

Species

H. albicans is a distinctive species, with densely packed, blue-gray leaves and white, summer flowers. It grows to 1 m (3 ft) and rarely needs trimming.

H. andersonii grows to 2 m (6 ft), with white flowers, tipped in violet. Cultivar 'Variegata', to 2 m (6 ft), has cream-edged foliage and long spikes of lavender blue flowers.

H. buxifolia, zone 7, is a neat, rounded shrub, to 1 m (3 ft), with glossy foliage and white, summer flowers.

H. colensoi, zone 6, is a dwarf shrub, to 45 cm (18 in), very useful for growing in rockeries with pale green leaves and clusters of white flowers.

H. cupressoides, zone 6, to 2 m (6 ft), has cypress-like foliage and can take dry conditions.

H. diosmifolia, zone 7, is a popular species in New Zealand where it can reach to 6 m (20 ft), though more usually it grows to 1 m (3 ft). It has a mound-like shape, with narrow, glossy, bright green leaves and masses of either pink, or more frequently lavenÂder blue, flowers for most of the year.

H. elliptica, zone 7, grows to 2 m (6 ft), with large, lilac flowers. Cultivar 'Variegata' (now correctly H. franciscana 'Variegata') has cream-edged leaves.

H. hulkeana, New Zealand lilac, is an open, upright grower, with oval, glossy, dark green leaves, margined in red, and a profusion of small, lilac flowers in spring and early summer. It grows to 1 m (3 ft) and has parented many hybrids.

H. macrantha, zone 6, is low-growing, to 60 cm (24 in), and suitable for rock gardens. The white flowers are the largest of the genus.

H. parviflora var. angustiÂfolia, zone 7, to 2 m (6 ft), has pale lilac flowers in summer.

H. pimeleoides var. glaucoÂcaerulea, zone 7, grows to 45 cm (18 in), with dusty blue leaves and masses of deep blue flowÂers.

H. salicifolia, zone 7, a variable species, to 4 m (13 ft), has white flowers tinged with lilac.

H. speciosa, zone 7, is a desirable species which grows to 2 m (6 ft), with large, glossy, dark green leaves and purple flowers. Many hybrids are from this species, including cultivar 'Blue Gem', a cross with H. elliptica, which grows well in coastal areas, to 1 m (3 ft), and has sea blue flowers; 'La Seduisante', with crimson flowers; and 'Midsummer Beauty', to 2 m (6 ft), with long spikes of lavender flowers.

H. vernicosa, zone 7, grows to 1 m (3 ft), with small leaves and lavender, summer flowers.

Cultivation

In the UK, hebes are not hardy in all zones, preferring the less severe or milder cliÂmates. They will tolerate almost any soil, including the alkaline type. Many make excellent shrubs for seaside gardens, being tolerant of sandy soil and salt air. Growth will be more compact if pnmed after flowering. Propagate from cuttings taken when flowering is finished.