- Not all Hebe varieties have beautiful flowers
- Varieties of Hebe that can also be grown here
- Not all Hebe varieties are hardy
There are countless types and varieties of shrub veronica or Hebe. Over 140 varieties are known to date. The perennial belongs to the plantain family and originally comes from New Zealand. Only a few varieties can be cultivated in our latitudes.
Some Hebe varieties bear beautiful flowers
Not all Hebe varieties have beautiful flowers
Hebe or shrub veronica is not only available as a flowering plant, but is also valued as an evergreen ornamental perennial in the garden or for pots. The different leaf shapes play a major role in this. They differ in size, color and shape.
The different leaf colors can be used to set very nice accents in the garden. The palette of leaf colors:
- juicy green
- light green
- yellowish
- blue-grey
- bluish black
Some Hebe varieties resemble conifers due to their leaf shape, but are assigned to the speedwell genus.
Varieties of Hebe that can also be grown here
| variety name | height | flower color | heyday | hardiness | particularities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hebe addenda | 20-30cm | pink | August to October | conditionally hardy | for beds and tubs |
| Hebe andersonii | up to 60 cm | violet | August to September | not hardy | big leaves |
| Hebe armstrongii | up to 100 cm | nondescript | May to June | conditionally hardy | Suitable for buckets |
| Hebe "Green Globe" | up to 50 cm | no flowers | - | conditionally hardy | cut compatible |
| Hebe salicifolia | up to 120 cm | white, purple | June to August | conditionally hardy | beds and tubs |
| Hebe speciosa | up to 120 cm | blue, purple | July to September | conditionally hardy | beds and tubs |
| Hebe ochrea | up to 40 cm | blue, purple | July to September | conditionally hardy | beds and tubs |
| Hebe pimeleoides var. glaucocaerulia | up to 30 cm | purple | July to August | not hardy | container plant |
Not all Hebe varieties are hardy
Most Hebe species only tolerate moderate frost down to a maximum of minus five degrees. It is therefore advisable to grow Hebe in a bucket.
Basically, large-leaved species tolerate less frost than small-leaved Hebe.
The flowering time also depends on the variety. Some species are early bloomers, while others bloom in the fall. The flowers of the Hebe Green Globe variety are completely inconspicuous.
tips
The name "Hebe" for shrub veronica goes back to the Greek goddess Hebe. She is considered the goddess of youth. The perennial is not poisonous.