Hebe Inspiration

 

Hebe (pronounced HEE-bee) is a large genus of evergreen shrubs mainly from New Zealand.  This interesting evergreen shrub, which was named after the Greek goddess of youth, includes numerous species. The majority of hebe shrubs are native to New Zealand. They range in size from small bushes that may grow about 3 feet (1 m.) tall to larger tree-like varieties reaching heights of up to 6 feet (2 m.). There are also both large and small-leafed types available. While evergreen in nature, their foliage provides year-round interest with additional colors in burgundy, bronze or variegated.

Most hebes bloom in summer and last throughout fall. Some varieties even offer winter blooms. These spiked flowers also come in a range of colors—from white, pink and crimson to blue and purple.

The majority of hebe shrubs are native to New Zealand. They range in size from small bushes that may grow about 3 feet (1 m.) tall to larger tree-like varieties reaching heights of up to 6 feet (2 m.). There are also both large and small-leafed types available. While evergreen in nature, their foliage provides year-round interest with additional colors in burgundy, bronze or variegated.

Most hebes bloom in summer and last throughout fall. Some varieties even offer winter blooms. These spiked flowers also come in a range of colors—from white, pink and crimson to blue and purple.

They are extremely pretty when they are in flower, as the shrubs are massed with small spires of white, purple, blue or pink flowers. Most are very long flowering and produce flushes of flowers from late winter or early spring right through to autumn.

Each flower spire is made up of many small blossoms that bring bees and other beneficial insects to the garden. Early and late flowering varieties – that is, those that start flowering in late winter or that continue to bloom well into autumn - are a good source of nectar for insects.

These rounded, evergreen shrubs can be grown as part of a massed low-care planting, trimmed as a hedge or used as a feature plant in a garden or a container.

HEBE VARIETIES

 Hebe Sunset Boulevard

The species commonly grown in gardens are native to New Zealand but have been bred, developed and are grown in gardens around the world. There are also species that are native to Australia and to South America.

‘Inspiration’ is a reliable, long-flowering variety with purple-blue flowers and purple stems. ‘Sunset Boulevard’ has bright pink blooms. ‘Wiri Cloud’ has pretty, pale pink flower spires that fade to white with age. This variety is resistant to powdery mildew. It is part of the ‘Wiri’ series of hebes, which were bred in New Zealand at the Auckland Botanic Gardens.

‘Heebie Jeebie’ is another disease-resistant hebe. It has spikes of purple-blue flowers and shiny green leaves. Its peak flowering is in late winter and early spring.

GROWING CONDITIONS

Hebes are best suited to cool and temperate climate gardens. They also grow well in coastal areas.

The benefits of growing hebes in cold climate areas are that they are both evergreen and frost tolerant. These leafy green plants offer an evergreen highlight amid winter-bare shrubs and trees.

Grow hebes in full sun or with afternoon shade and with regular water. Hebes grow best in well-draining soil. Plants can be pruned lightly after a main flowering flush. Feed them annually in spring as they burst into new growth.

In humid conditions, some hebes may develop dieback or suffer from fungal diseases such as powdery mildew, which attacks the leaves. Diseases can be treated with fungicide such as Amgrow RotGuard and with improved growing conditions. If you have poorly draining soil, grow hebes in raised beds or containers to give them the drainage they need and reduce the likelihood of disease problems. Also select varieties bred for disease-resistence. [2]

How to Grow Hebe Plants

Growing a hebe plant is easy. The versatility of these shrubs allows you to grow them in different ways. Use them for edging, plant them in borders, grow them in rock gardens ^[1] or even in containers.

Hebe shrubs are most suited for areas with cool summers and mild winters. They adapt to a variety of soil types but will perform best in loose, well-draining ^[2] soil. They can be grown in both sun and shade, though full sun is preferable, as plants grown in shade may become leggy.

Young plants should be potted up in spring. Planting hebe in the garden should be at the same depth as the container they are growing in. Adding organic matter ^[3] or compost to the soil during planting will help promote healthy growth.

Hebe Plant Care

The hebe plant does not require a lot of care once it is established. Although the shrub doesn’t need much in the way of fertilizer, you can apply some once a year in late winter or early spring prior to new growth.

Deadheading the spent blooms ^[4] can be done to help promote additional flowering. You can also trim hebe plants back about halfway after flowering to promote bushier growth.

These shrubs are usually propagated through both seeds and semi-hardwood cuttings ^[5] taken in summer.

In areas with harsher winters, they should be protected by surrounding them with straw mulch ^[6].