Ed is a horticultural therapist, professional gardener and writer. Ed has a BSc in Occupational Therapy from Coventry University and a Diploma in Social and Therapeutic Horticulture (DipSTH) via Thive, the RHS and Pershore College. Ed runs a community kitchen garden in West Sussex, where he leads horticultural therapy sessions.
Reviewed By COLIN SKELLY
Colin is a Horticulturist and Horticultural Consultant with experience in a range of practical and managerial roles across heritage, commercial and public horticulture. He holds the Royal Horticultural Society’s Master of Horticulture award and has a particular interest in horticultural ecology and naturalistic planting for habitat and climate resilience.
Contributions From CHARLIE BEWLEY
With over 35 years of experience growing hebes, Charlie Bewley is the Owner of Hic Bibi Wholesale Nurseries, based in Chorley, UK.
IN THIS GUIDE
- 1) H. ‘Great Orme’
- 2) H. rakaiensis
- 3) H. albicans
- 4) H. ‘Red Edge’
- 5) H. canterburiensis ‘Carl Teschner’
- 6) H. ‘Blue Gem’
- 7) H. ‘Caledonia’
- 8) H. ochracea ‘James Stirling’
- 9) H. pinguifolia ‘Pagei’
- 10) H. pinguifolia ‘Sutherlandii’
- 11) H. ‘Wiri Cloud’
- 12) H. ‘Wiri Charm’
- 13) H. ‘Silver Dollar’
- 14) H. ‘Emerald Gem’
- 15) H. cupressoides ‘Boughton Dome’
- 16) H. × andersonii
- 17) H. ‘Youngii’
- 18) H. ‘Nicola’s Blush’
- 19) H. buxifolia ‘Patty’s Purple’
- 20) H. ‘Oratia Beauty’
- 21) H. [Garden Beauty Blue]
- 22) H. ‘Blue Clouds’
- 23) H. recurva ‘Boughton Silver’
- 24) H. ‘Rhubarb And Custard’
- 25) H. ‘Frozen Flame’
- References
Hebe, or veronica as they are often known, are a genus of evergreen shrubs in the Plantaginaceae family that originate from New Zealand and other parts of the southern hemisphere.1Armstrone, T., & De Lange, P. (2005, October). Conservation genetics of Hebe speciosa (Plantaginaceae) an endangered New Zealand shrub. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. Retrieved March 16, 2023, from https://academic.oup.com/botlinnean/article/149/2/229/2420184
They are well-known (and commonly grown for) their specific characteristics, which include their ornamental flowers in either white, pink or purple and being evergreen, which provide often colourful and structural interest, especially during the winter months.
“Hebes are great structural plants, forming attractive mounds, many with variegated or coloured foliage,” shares Colin Skelly, Master Horticulturist.
“I tend to use Hebes, particularly in pots, for these structural qualities, but the flowers in summer are also popular with pollinators and hum with life.
“In mild regions, Hebes may even flower more than once depending on the vagaries of the weather.”
Here are 25 popular types of hebes which can be grown in the UK, including some very special RHS AGM recipients:
1) H. ‘Great Orme’
- HARDINESS RATING: H4
- FLOWERS: White and pink
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer / Autumn
- SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Partial Shade
- EXPOSURE: Exposed / Sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: Any soil type; alkaline to neutral pH
- SIZE: 1-1.5m in height, 1-1.5m spread
“Hebe ‘Great Orme’ is a favourite of mine,” says Charlie Bewley, the owner of Hic Bibi Wholesale Nurseries, with over 35 years of experience growing hebes.
“It can grow up to 6-8ft, is very bushy and has long leaves. It can also make a great hedge, especially in seaside locations. It has striking, bright pink flowers.”
With a rounded and compact habit, ‘Great Orme’ produces tapering flowers that fade to white from early summer onwards.
With narrow evergreen foliage, this hebe provides great winter interest but needs some protection during the coldest months.
Growing to an eventual height and spread of 1.2m, it is one of the larger hebe shrubs available and is suitable for the back of a bed or border, or even a large container.
Awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit.
2) H. rakaiensis
- HARDINESS RATING: H4
- FLOWERS: White
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
- SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Partial Shade
- EXPOSURE: Exposed / Sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: Any soil type; alkaline to neutral pH
- SIZE: 0.5-1m in height, 1-1.5m spread
This well-known and popular hebe grows to a compact and round 1m in height and spread.
With smaller leaves that are bright green, this hebe is well suited to growing in pots or containers.
Producing white flowers that are loved by pollinators from early summer onwards, this shrub may need some winter protection, especially during the coldest months.
3) H. albicans
- HARDINESS RATING: H4
- FLOWERS: White
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
- SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Partial Shade
- EXPOSURE: Sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: Any soil type; alkaline to neutral pH
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0.5-1m spread
A dwarf hebe, this shrub is ideal for container-growing or lining the edge of a path.
Growing to a relatively small size with a mass of small dark green leaves, it can be used as a low informal hedge.
This is a species distinguished by thick, somewhat rubbery, leaves that have a greyish blue-green colour.
Pollinators love its small, oval-shaped, white blooms that open in early summer and contrast well against its darker foliage.
Albicans will tolerate full sun or partial shade but they prefer a sheltered spot.
This species has been awarded the RHS’s Award of Garden Merit.
4) H. ‘Red Edge’
- HARDINESS RATING: H4
- FLOWERS: White and purple
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
- SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Partial Shade
- EXPOSURE: Exposed / Sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: Any soil type; alkaline to neutral pH
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
Some hebe shrubs produce ornamental foliage as well as flowers.
Hebe ‘Red Edge’ is one of those and forms a small mound of blue-green leaves that are tinged red come winter, providing some lovely winter interest for the garden.
With short pale purple flowers that fade to white with time, this hebe is perfect for a pot as it will reach a final size of about 50cm in height and spread.
Preferring a sheltered location, ‘Red Edge’ might need to be moved under cover to overwinter the worst of the weather and low temperatures.
5) H. canterburiensis ‘Carl Teschner’
- HARDINESS RATING: H4
- FLOWERS: White and blue
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
- SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Partial Shade
- EXPOSURE: Exposed / Sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: Any soil type; alkaline to neutral pH
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
Hebe ‘Carl Teschner’ is a dwarf and spreading shrub that is ideal for edging a path with or for growing in containers due to its small size.
This hebe has small and dark green foliage, which come summer is adorned with a profusion of large purple blooms that fade to white with age.
Rated H4 for hardiness, ‘Carl Teschner’ can tolerate winter temperatures as low as -5 to -10 °C with some protection.
6) H. ‘Blue Gem’
- HARDINESS RATING: H4
- FLOWERS: Purple
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer / Autumn
- SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Partial Shade
- EXPOSURE: Sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: Chalk, loam, sand; Any pH
- SIZE: 1-1.5m in height, 1-1.5m spread
‘Blue Gem’ is one of the larger and more vigorous hebes available and can grow to a final size of 1.5m in height, making it perfect for the back of a bed or a border.
This hebe produces light green foliage in a loose and rounded form, interspersed with flowers in all shades of purple.
As with most hebes, this shrub will grow well in full sun to partial shade on poor to moderately fertile soil in a sheltered spot.
7) H. ‘Caledonia’
- HARDINESS RATING: H4
- FLOWERS: Purple
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Spring / Summer
- SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Partial Shade
- EXPOSURE: Sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: Any soil type; alkaline to neutral pH
- SIZE: 0.5-1m in height, 0.5-1m spread
Hebe ‘Caledonia’ is another compact variety that will grow to a maximum of around 60cm in height and spread.
Ideal for containers or the front of a border, this hebe produces small red foliage that turns dark green as they age, as well as small purple flowers that can bloom from spring until autumn with regular deadheading.
RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
8) H. ochracea ‘James Stirling’
- HARDINESS RATING: H4
- FLOWERS: White
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Spring / Summer
- SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Partial Shade
- EXPOSURE: Exposed / Sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: Any soil type; alkaline to neutral pH
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
For something a little different, this hebe produces almost golden foliage, not unlike a cypress and looks great all year round, especially in the winter.
Neat and compact ‘James Stirling’ grows to a size of just over 50cm over time, although may remain smaller in certain conditions, and displays small white flowers during the summer months.
A slightly tougher shrub that originates from New Zealand, this hebe will cope with an exposed aspect and can be grown in coastal gardens.
9) H. pinguifolia ‘Pagei’
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- FLOWERS: White
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Spring / Summer
- SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Partial Shade
- EXPOSURE: Exposed / Sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: Any soil type; alkaline to neutral pH
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0.5-1m spread
This almost carpet-forming hebe stays low at a height of only 30cm, but can spread to up to 1m.
Providing great ground cover, ‘Pagei’ produces tiny blue-green foliage on purple stems and white flowers in early summer.
A fairly hardy shrub, ‘Pagei’ is rated H5, indicating that it can withstand temperatures as low as -10°C to -15°C in an exposed or sheltered spot, but as with all hebes, will struggle in heavy or compacted soil that is prone to becoming waterlogged.
Being mat-forming, ‘Pagei’ is great for suppressing weeds and ideal for growing as a specimen shrub or when planted en masse.
10) H. pinguifolia ‘Sutherlandii’
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- FLOWERS: White
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
- SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Partial Shade
- EXPOSURE: Exposed / Sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: Any soil type; alkaline to neutral pH
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
With foliage lighter and greener in colour than ‘Pagei’, Hebe ‘Sutherlandii’ has a slightly bushier and more compact habit.
Another tough and hardy hebe, this shrub will reach a maximum height and spread of just under 50cm over time and is loved by pollinators when it is in flower during May and June.
Ideal for container growing and being tolerant of salt, this variety is again great for a coastal garden and produces tiny white blooms that contrast well against its green leaves.
11) H. ‘Wiri Cloud’
- HARDINESS RATING: H4
- FLOWERS: Pink
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
- SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Partial Shade
- EXPOSURE: Sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: Any soil type; alkaline to neutral pH
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
Another compact hebe, ‘Wiri Cloud’ displays short racemes of pale pink flowers over the summer months on a compact mass of bright green foliage that reaches no more than 40cm in height.
Covered with pollinators when in flower, the pale pink blooms can last for weeks if regularly deadheaded.
One of the less hardy hebes available, it may need some winter protection, especially if grown in an exposed spot or in a frost pocket.
12) H. ‘Wiri Charm’
- HARDINESS RATING: H4
- FLOWERS: Purple and pink
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
- SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Partial Shade
- EXPOSURE: Sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: Any soil type; alkaline to neutral pH
- SIZE: 0.5-1m in height, 1-1.5m spread
A much larger hebe than the previous ‘Wiri Cloud’, ‘Wiri Charm’ can reach heights up to 1m and a spread of up to 1.5m.
With vibrant bright pink-purple flowers that bloom from July until October and evergreen dark green glossy foliage, this hebe provides interest all year round.
Tolerating either full sun or partial shade, ’Wiri Cloud’ requires a sheltered spot and may need some protection against the worst of the winter weather.
13) H. ‘Silver Dollar’
- HARDINESS RATING: H3
- FLOWERS: Pink
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
- SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Partial Shade
- EXPOSURE: Exposed / Sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: Any soil type; alkaline to neutral pH
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
For a hebe with stunning ornamental foliage, ‘Silver Dollar’ is definitely one to consider.
With variegated silver-green foliage that turns a deep red come autumn and pale mauve flowers that fade to white in early summer, this hebe provides year-round interest.
Remaining compact at a final size of approximately 60cm in height and spread, and with an upright and rounded form, it is a versatile shrub that grows equally well in a border or a container.
As the least hardy of all the hebe varieties mentioned, it will need moving undercover or to be covered to protect it from the worst of the winter.
14) H. ‘Emerald Gem’
- HARDINESS RATING: H4
- FLOWERS: White
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
- SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Partial Shade
- EXPOSURE: Sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: Any soil type; alkaline to neutral pH
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
‘Emerald Green’ has a wonderfully tidy habit, so much so that this 50cm semi-dwarf shrub always stays in a compact, round shape.
The stiff, spire-like pointy leaves are an eye-pleasing shade of clear emerald green.
Add to all this its ability to adapt to any soil and resist pests and diseases, and it’s easy to see why it was awarded the RHS’s Award of Garden Merit.
15) H. cupressoides ‘Boughton Dome’
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- FLOWERS: Purple
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
- SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Partial Shade
- EXPOSURE: Sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: Chalk, loam, sand; alkaline to neutral pH
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0.5-1m spread
This species reminds one of a Bonsai conifer, as this 40-50cm variety also has a marvellous self-maintained habit, growing in a dome or teardrop shape that needs no maintenance.
It bears no flowers and its needle-like leaves are of a bluish-slate-green hue.
It is of obvious architectural interest and application.
16) H. × andersonii
- HARDINESS RATING: H4
- FLOWERS: White and purple
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer / Autumn
- SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Partial Shade
- EXPOSURE: Sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: Any soil type; alkaline to neutral pH
- SIZE: 1.5-2.5m in height, 1.5-2.5m spread
Hebe × andersonii is a giant among hebe, usually reaching over 2m in height, with long-lived plants going past 2.5 metres, and attaining a width to match.
Though its foliage is of little interest, it provides stunning tubular sprays of a bright, rich purple hue.
It has a decent flowering season, bears profuse blooms, and attracts butterflies and bees to boot.
17) H. ‘Youngii’
- HARDINESS RATING: H4
- FLOWERS: White and blue
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
- SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Partial Shade
- EXPOSURE: Sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: Any soil type; alkaline to neutral pH
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
This species is at the other extreme in height; this mat-forming dwarf reaches no more than 20cm tall.
It has deep green shiny leaves, and it bears small flowers which boast four discrete petals.
Their colour ranges from lavender to purple with the white throats providing a lovely counterpoint for this winner of the Award of Garden Merit.
18) H. ‘Nicola’s Blush’
- HARDINESS RATING: H4
- FLOWERS: White and pink
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer / Autumn
- SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Partial Shade
- EXPOSURE: Sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: Any soil type; alkaline to neutral pH
- SIZE: 0.5-1m in height, 0.5-1m spread
This is a semi-dwarf that has a bushy, rounded habit and reaches 60-70cm in height and spread.
Its grey-green leaves are lance-shaped but it is the inflorescences whose shape and colour are the point of interest.
White but with a rouge-like ‘blush’ at the tip, these amusing flowers resemble bottlebrushes or hair-curlers.
It’s another recipient of the Award of Garden Merit.
19) H. buxifolia ‘Patty’s Purple’
- HARDINESS RATING: H4
- FLOWERS: White and purple
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer / Autumn
- SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Partial Shade
- EXPOSURE: Exposed / Sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: Any soil type; alkaline to neutral pH
- SIZE: 0.5-1m in height, 0.5-1m spread
‘Patty’s Purple’ also has a bushy, mounding habit but otherwise is different.
It grows up to 70-90cm centimetres in height and width.
The ovate leaves are emerald green and the tapering, spiked inflorescences are brilliant purple fading to white at the base as the buds open.
It’s all about colour with this cultivar, as even the stalks are a deep red.
20) H. ‘Oratia Beauty’
- HARDINESS RATING: H4
- FLOWERS: White and pink
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
- SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Partial Shade
- EXPOSURE: Exposed / Sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: Any soil type; alkaline to neutral pH
- SIZE: 0.5-1m in height, 0.5-1m spread
This shrub has similarly bi-coloured tapering and spiked inflorescences whose tips are a gentle pink.
As the pink buds open, they fade to white at the base.
The ovate leaves are glossy and have a rubbery look on this bushy cultivar that reaches up to 75cm in height.
This variety is especially attractive to bees and butterflies, and it has been recognised with the Award of Garden Merit.
21) H. [Garden Beauty Blue]
- HARDINESS RATING: H4
- FLOWERS: Blue
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
- SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Partial Shade
- EXPOSURE: Sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: Chalk, loam, sand; Any pH
- SIZE: 0.5-1m in height, 0.5-1m spread
Garden Beauty Blue has a bushy, mounding habit that grows to just under 1m tall and wide.
The name of the game here is colour saturation in both leaf and flower.
The glossy leaves are a rich, deep green; the small flowers are an even deeper, richer shade of purple.
Other attractions of this variety are its especially dense foliage and its great profusion of flowers.
22) H. ‘Blue Clouds’
- HARDINESS RATING: H4
- FLOWERS: Blue
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer / Autumn
- SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Partial Shade
- EXPOSURE: Sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: Any soil type; alkaline to neutral pH
- SIZE: 0.5-1m in height, 0.5-1m spread
This cultivar is of a bushy habit and may attain a maximum height of 1m.
Both the leaves and flowers are points of interest; the lance-shaped leaves are glossy and dull-green but they become clearly bluish-purplish in winter while the spike-like flowers vary from light blue to a rich purple.
23) H. recurva ‘Boughton Silver’
- HARDINESS RATING: H4
- FLOWERS: White
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
- SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Partial Shade
- EXPOSURE: Sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: Any soil type; alkaline to neutral pH
- SIZE: 0.5-1m in height, 0.5-1m spread
‘Boughton Silver’ is silvery in both foliage and flower.
The lanceolate leaves are blue-green with a distinct silvery-grey sheen while the inflorescences’ sprays are silvery-white, and attract bees and butterflies in droves.
It grows to only about 60cm and has a bushy and spreading habit.
24) H. ‘Rhubarb And Custard’
- HARDINESS RATING: H3
- FLOWERS: Purple
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
- SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Partial Shade
- EXPOSURE: Sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: Any soil type; alkaline to neutral pH
- SIZE: 0.5-1m in height, 0.5-1m spread
‘Rhubarb and Custard’ may have a precious name but it is an apt one.
Though this cultivar bears small spikes of lavender-to-purple flowers in the mid-late summer, the focus is more on foliage.
The thick oval leaves are variegated; they are deep green with blotches of magenta-pink and irregular bordering in custard-yellow.
It is of a bushy, mounding habit.
25) H. ‘Frozen Flame’
- HARDINESS RATING: H4
- FLOWERS: Blue
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
- SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Partial Shade
- EXPOSURE: Sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: Chalk, loam, sand; alkaline to neutral pH
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0.5-1m spread
This variety has similarities to ‘Rhubarb and Custard’ in both flower, foliage, and even height and habit.
What is different is that the leaves are lance-like and the colouring is less random and more regulated as the yellow-cream colour properly edges the leaf and the magenta spreads from the centre, gradually taking over most or all of the leaf in winter.
