With or without its prime , this shrub is a stopper .
Hebe(pronouncedHEE - bee ) is a large genus of evergreen plant shrubs from New Zealand . Dome - shaped , it sport bluff flower spike in white , purple , and pink from summer to descend . Even without flush , this multi - season plant , hardy in Zones 7 - 11 , gloss the landscape with evergreen foliage in greenish , whitish green , silver , or green tinged with cream or copper , depend on the specie and cultivar .
Hebe was formerly let in in the genus Veronica ( hence the common name shrubby Veronica ) but is now considered a genus of its own .
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Where to Plant Hebe
Plant hebe in a sunny smirch with well - drained soil that is neutral to slightly alkaline . If your location is at the lower ending of the zona reach , protect itfrom parky wintertime winding . Shelter it with a construction or other works . If you need to plant it in an exposed location , choose a compact variety less likely to be impact by low-toned temperature .
Hebe comes in a orbit of sizes so make certain to pick a variety that fits your quad . Tall type also contribute themselves to be grow as anevergreen hedge .
How and When to Plant Hebe
you’re able to found hebe all yr long but spring or summer planting will give roots a hazard to steady down before dusty temperatures get . Hebe is suitable for container planting .
Dig a hole at least twice the sizing of the container the shrub comes in . Place the plant in the mess and backfill it with original soil . Mulch around the cornerstone to keep up soil moisture and suppress grass . urine immediately and keep the shrub well - water until you see new growth .
If planting it in group , space the plants about 3 foot apart . For a hedge , allow for 12 to 18 in between plants look on the mature size of the type .
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Hebe Care Tips
Hebe is wanton to train and care for .
Light
Hebe demand 6 to 8 hours of sunlight each daylight . Too much shade and it will become leggy and might stop bloom .
Soil and Water
Hebe requireswell - drain , flaxen soilwith a pH between 7.0 and 8.5 . Although relativelydrought - tolerant , this shrub requires about an inch of water a week in summer to maintain healthy , robust leaf and produce enceinte , color - drenched heyday .
Temperature and Humidity
Hebe is marginally stalwart in North America , often suffering from winter harm if temperature are colder than average . Despite itshardiness , it does best when the weather is warm and modest butlow in humidness . Generally , the smaller the foliage , the better the cultivar or mintage can tolerate cold .
Fertilizer
Other than add a layer of well - age compost around the base in the bound , hebe does not call for fertilise ; in fact , it can even do well in misfortunate soil .
Pruning
Prune shrubs periodically to keep them from getting leggy . Deadheadflowers to boost new growth , and when it ’s done flowering , cut it back by one third . It will look bushy that way .
Potting and Repotting Hebe
Choose smaller varieties of hebe if you want to grow them incontainers . It ’s a salutary idea to pot them if you ’re planting in a cooler area so you could bring them indoors when the weather condition change . utilize a well - draining terra - cotta pot . Hebe will call for repot every two years when it outgrow its container .
Pests and Problems
plague that will tip on hebe include aphids and wanderer mites . Rid your plants of them with horticultural oil or an constitutional insect powder .
How to Propagate Hebe
Hebes are best distribute from cuttings between mid and late summer . Find a stem that is woody at the base , has fresh and soft green ontogeny at the top , and no bloom . Take a cut of about 4 to 6 inches in distance just below a leaf node . Strip the leaves off the scurvy third of the cutting so that only a few leaf rest at the top .
Dip the baseball swing end in rooting internal secretion powder and put in the leafless component part in a 4 - column inch raft filled with damp potting admixture . Keep the muckle in a fond post with brilliant light but out of direct sun . Water the cutting on a regular basis from the base .
After about four calendar week , the cut should start steady down . Give it time to grow into a vigorous small works before transplanting it in a garden bottom or a container . If the plant is n’t ready before winter stale sets in , overwinter the vernal plant life in its pot in a rime - devoid locating with shiny light , such as an unheated elbow room or greenhouse .
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Types of Hebe
‘Grace Kelly’ Hebe
Hebe’Grace Kelly ' is crowned with majestic majestic flowers in summertime and fall . The flowers are a adorable full complement to the variegated fleeceable - and - white parting . Plants maturate 2 - 3 feet tall and wide . Zones 8 - 10
Variegated Hebe
The cultivarHebe speciosa‘Variegata ’ has variegated gray - green leaves with creamy margin . In early summertime , it offer spikes of purple flowers that attract butterfly and hummingbirds . It grows 5 to 6 substructure tall . Zones 7 - 10
‘Wiri Blush’ Hebe
Hebe’Wiri Blush ' coruscation with deep rose - pink flower spike heel against shiny , dark green leaves with red edges . ' Wiri Blush ' forms an splendid compact hedgerow . It grows 4 foot tall and full . zone 7 - 11
Frequently Asked Questions
Hebe bush turn in the right surround and with honest tending can endure up to ten twelvemonth .
There are around 100 species of hebe .
Updated by Nadia Hassani
Credit: Denny Schrock
