Hebe
A huge, hardy native genus ranging from ground-hugging alpine forms to 1.5m shrubs, with spikes of white, pink or purple flowers that draw bees and butterflies over a long summer season. Coastal- and wind-tolerant, and copes well with poor soil. Light trim after flowering keeps growth compact rather than woody and bare at the base.
- Sun
- full sun
- Water
- low
- Spacing
- 60cm
- Difficulty
- beginner
- Grows in
- Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Hamilton / Waikato, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Napier / Hawke's Bay, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson, Tasman, Blenheim / Marlborough, West Coast, Christchurch / Canterbury, Dunedin / Otago, Invercargill / Southland
- Mature height
- 1.5m
- Flowering season
- Jan, Feb, Oct, Nov, Dec
- Attracts wildlife
- Bees, Butterflies
- Evergreen
- Yes
- Common diseases
- Leaf spot, Downy mildew
- Common pests
- Leaf-mining weevil
When to plant by region
In Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and Napier / Hawke's Bay: March-April and September-November. In Hamilton / Waikato, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson, Tasman, Blenheim / Marlborough, West Coast, Christchurch / Canterbury, Dunedin / Otago and Invercargill / Southland: September-November.
Growing stages
Planting & establishmentFirst few months
- Water while young to help roots establish, even though this genus copes well with poor, dry soil once settled
- Good drainage matters more than soil richness, avoid waterlogged spots
Early growthFirst 1-2 years
- Watch for leaf-mining weevil damage on new foliage
- Check for leaf spot or downy mildew, especially in humid or poorly ventilated positions
FloweringOctober-February, varying by cultivar and region
- Spikes of white, pink or purple flowers draw bees and butterflies over a long summer season
- Light trim after flowering keeps growth compact rather than woody and bare at the base
Maturity
- Coastal- and wind-tolerant once established, needing little ongoing care beyond an annual post-flowering trim
- Continue checking for leaf spot and downy mildew in damp conditions