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Back to NZ Native Plants
More Native Plant Profiles
Hebes are invaulable garden plants, the species are quite variable in leaf and size but are mainly compact mounding shrubs. Hebes invariable demand free-draining soils and will fail in waterlogged positions, especially when the ground freezes in winter. Pinch out the tips to keep neat and compact. Some hebes are not long-lived but they are easy to grow and take readily from cuttings so replacing aged plants is not difficult.
Hebe topiaria
A neat tidy mound that can attain 1.0m in time, but often less. Easier than English box (Buxus sp.) ball, H. topiaria will retain its tidy and even form without trimming. Small white flowers summer.
Cultivation Must have good drainage as wet feet will probably kill it, full sun or very light shade.
Propagation Cuttings
Hebe 'Wiri Gem'
The 'Wiri' series of hebes are the result of work undertaken at the Auckland Regional Botanic Garden. Thre are a range of colours and forms, all selected as worthy garden plants.
Cultivation Good well drained soil, good in coastal gardens. Can suffer from mildew and black spot in very dry climates.
Propagation Cuttings
Hebe speciosa cultivar
Hebe speciosa
The large flowers of Hebe speciosa make it one of the more spectacular hebes. over seas breeders siezed on this and there are a number of named cultivars. The flowers appear over a long season from summer onwards. The species has dark green leaves with a dinstinctive red midrib.
Cultivation Good well drained soil, good in coastal gardens. Can suffer from mildew and black spot in very dry climates.
Propagation Cuttings
Hebe 'Bartlett'
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Hebe albicans
Glaucous leaves on a neat, mounding shrub ti about 0.5m (2ft). White flowers are carried in summer and autumn.
Cultivation Good, well drained soil and full sun, quite drought resistant once established
Propagation Cuttings
Hebe diosmifolia
A typical rounded hebe with deep green, glossy leaves. Small white flowers with a hint of lilac cover the plant in spring, an added bonus to a valuable structural plant, that is as tough as any hebe.
Cultivation Well drained soils, water until established then quite drought hardy
Propagation Cuttings
Heliohebe hulkeana, New Zealand Lilac
(syn. Hebe hulkeana)
Heliohebe hulkeana is a gorgeous plant, the flowers stand out even among it's showy hebe relatives and it is sometimes called the New Zealand lilac. Long stems of soft lilac flowers appear from the bronzy foliage in spring, unique in New Zealand natives.
Cultivation Good drainage and protection from frosts is essential. Pinch out the growing tips after flowering and it will stay compact.
Propagation Cuttings, seed
H. raoulii
A low sprawling plant covered with pinkish-lilac flowers in spring.
CultivationIt needs good drainage - planting in a raised bed or the top of a wall is ideal - and full sun.
Propagation Cuttings
Parahebe lyallii
Parahebe lyallii is a variable plant, found in many parts of New Zealand. The flowers are most commonly white or white with a pink tinge flowers. P. l. 'Blue boy' has small blue bell-like flowers held over the reddish-green leaves in spring.
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