Hebe

Hebe: how do you recognise it?

Habit

Compact, rounded dome about 60 cm high and 90 cm wide, with many close-set, upright shoots.

Leaves

Small, thick and leathery, blue-grey to grey-green, arranged in opposite pairs on the stem; evergreen.

Flowers

Short white spikes at the tips of the shoots, in June and July.

Roots

Dense, fibrous and fairly shallow: it likes free-draining soil and does not tolerate wet feet.

Cultivars

‘Red Edge’ has a fine red margin on the leaves, most visible in winter.

Flowering: June–July · Plants: April–May · Pruning: April and August

Why grow it?

• The blue-grey, evergreen leaves give a calm colour in the border all year.
• Neat, round, compact shape without pruning: ideal for small gardens, edgings and pots.
• White flower spikes in June–July attract bees and butterflies.
• One of the hardier hebes, and almost always stays in place after a normal winter.
• Low maintenance: just cut off the spent spikes.

Hebe: where does it grow best?

• Full sun to half shade; in sun the dome stays compact and flowers more.
• Free-draining, not too rich soil: sand, loam or light clay, acid to chalky.
• Moderately dry to normal; never waterlogged in winter.
• Sheltered from cold, dry wind and hard frost, especially when young.
• Allow 80–100 cm per plant; as a low edging or hedge, 50–60 cm.

Light

Sun and partial shade

Soil type

Sand, loam or clay

Acidity

Not fussy

Moisture

Dry or normal

Size

0.6 m tall, 0.9 m wide

Hardiness

Hardy (to -15 °C)

Goes well with

• Lavender: Same sunny, free-draining spot; scented purple flowers.
• Stonecrop: Thick leaves and late flowers that complement the dome.
• Blue fescue: Blue-grey grass that echoes the colour of the leaves.
• Rock rose: Low, sunny flowers on the same dry soil.
• Cranesbill: Blue to purple flowers that go well with the grey leaves.

Hebe: when and how to plant it?

Plant in April–May.

1. Plant in April–May, when the worst frosts are over, so the plant can root well before winter.
2. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball; on heavy soil mix in sand or fine grit.
3. Set the plant at the same depth as in its pot and firm the soil well.
4. Leave 80–100 cm between plants; for a low edging, 50–60 cm.
5. Water in thoroughly and keep the soil slightly moist in the first year.
6. Lay a layer of bark or leaf mould around the base, without covering the stems.

Care

Water

In the first year during dry weather, afterwards only in long dry spells. In pots regularly, but never with wet feet.

Feeding

In April a handful of organic fertiliser or shrub feed; not after August.

Mulching

A layer of bark or leaf mould in spring keeps the soil moist and protects the roots in winter.

Spent flowers

Cut off the spikes after flowering: the plant stays neater and the dome keeps its shape.

Repotting

Potted plants are repotted every 2–3 years in April, into a larger pot with free-draining compost.

Tip: Cut off the spent spikes straight after flowering and never prune into bare wood. Plant it in a sheltered, free-draining spot and give young plants some protection in the first winters.

Hebe: when to prune it?

Pruning months: April and August.

When: Straight after flowering, in August, plus a light tidy in April.

How:

• Cut off the spent spikes to just above the leaves.
• In April: remove dead or frost-damaged twigs back to healthy wood, which only shows clearly in May.
• Keep the dome round by shortening a protruding branch now and then, staying in healthy green wood.

Caution: Do not cut deep into old, bare wood: it often fails to regrow.

Pruning: when and how · Pruning calendar and basic rules

Propagation

Semi-ripe cuttings

In July–September take cuttings of 5–8 cm from non-flowering shoots, strip the lower leaves and insert in sandy compost. Usually rooted in 3–5 weeks.

Seed

Cultivars do not come true from seed; cuttings are the reliable method.

Hebe: how does it get through the winter?

Hardy to −15 °C: protect young plants.

• Hardy to about −15 °C: it can stay outside in most Belgian winters, but protect young plants in hard frost.
• In October pile leaves or bark around the base. Wet winters are more dangerous than dry frost: make sure drainage is good.
• In a pot: stand it against a sheltered wall and wrap the pot in hessian, or move it to a frost-free place.

Diseases and pests

• Root rot: The plant fades and drops leaves on soil that is too wet. Improve drainage with sand or move it to a higher spot.
• Leaf spot: Brown or black spots on the leaves, especially in wet spells. Remove affected leaves and avoid watering over the foliage.
• Frost damage: Brown leaves and dead twigs after a hard winter. Wait until May, then cut back to healthy wood.
• Bare, woody plant: Pruned too hard or too shady. Keep the dome in shape with light trimming every year and give more sun.

Through the year

• April: Planting. Remove dead twigs. Feed.
• May: Planting. Cut out frost damage.
• June: Flowering begins. Water in dry weather.
• July: Full flower, bees and butterflies.
• August: Cut off spent spikes. Take cuttings.
• September: Take cuttings.
• October: Lay mulch or leaves around the base.
• November: Move pots frost-free. Protect young plants.

Good for wildlife

Bees

Nectar and pollen for honeybees and wild bees.

Butterflies

Nectar for butterflies.

Did you know?

• The species name albicans means ‘whitening’ in Latin and refers to the pale, blue-grey leaves.
• Hebes were long treated as a genus of their own, but are now placed in Veronica (speedwell).
• The name Hebe refers to the Greek goddess of youth.