Hebe plants
Hebes are attractive evergreen bushes, typically with a compact growth habit, shiny oval leaves and distinctive spikes of blue, purple or white flowers produced all through summer and autumn. Some low-growing varieties are well-suited to the rockery or for ground cover while taller growing varieties are a must for any shrubbery or mixed border. While evergreen in nature, their foliage provides year-round colour and interest, available in burgundy, bronze or variegated foliage. Named after the Greek goddess of youth, they are easy to grow and tolerant of salt laden air with smaller leaved varieties being the hardiest. Hebes are versatile garden gems, working well as specimen plants, in containers, rock gardens or combined with other flowering and foliage plants in the border. There are lots of varieties to choose from – just be sure to choose on that’s the right size for the spot in the garden you have in mind. Native to New Zealand, they can be trimmed back by about half after flowering to promote bushier growth.