Hebes were originally classified as species of Veronica, and more recent analysis has shown them to indeed be part of the Veronica genus where they may soon be moved back. Subscribe today and receive 3 issues for $9.95 for delivery to the USA or 3 issues for $12.95 for delivery to Canada. If you have heavy soil, digging lots of horticultural grit into the area before you plant will increase the likelihood of your hebe thriving. However, the shrubs tend to get a bit top-heavy, with bare stems at the bottom of the bush. Start the topiary in the spring. This pretty little plant is native to New Zealand and has glossy, green leaves that form a dense, round mound. 10866260 | This website uses cookies. Nevertheless, despite their many qualities, they are not in fashion. Even if it likes full sun, some more hardy varieties resist temperatures that can reach -15C. It is important to pot these cuttings immediately for the best chances of them rooting. Order Online Order By Phone Quick Overview. A small shrub veronica perennial can be cut into shape quite easily. It would depend on the shape of the original plant though. Aim to make the cut as smooth as possible in one go. No, needs protection during freezing temperatures. Similarly, cut back large-leaved varieties after flowering to encourage them to become denser. Please advise. Cutting back a few of the older stems to low down near the base, will allow new branches to form, which will better clothe the shrub from top to bottom. Hebes flower over a long period all year round in mild regions with flower colours including pink, blue and white. Take cuttings that are between 10cm and 15cm long, and only pick horizontal untainted pieces. Cover with a clear plastic bag or place in a propagator with a lid, to maintain moisture. Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you have a larger variety you can prune back the top 20cm-30cm every year and maybe even prune a few stems back further to open up the middle and allow better air circulation. It is also along the Atlantic coast that they like it the most, taking advantage of the mildness and humidity of the oceanic climate. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Deleting this collection CANNOT be undone. Then, any dry or weather-damaged stems should be cut back but only until there . Tough, hardy and easy to grow, 'Emerald Gem' features such a clean and tidy habit that it needs no attention. Make sure the colour of the foliage doesn't clash with any other colours in your planting scheme. Choose a sheltered spot for your hebe, such as in front of a south- or west-facing wall. RHS H4, USDA 7a-10b. The best treatment is to apply a general-purpose fungicide in September or as soon as you notice the issue has manifested. This can offer a tall hedge for your garden. To hard prune, the stems can be cut back to a node about 30cm above the soil using a sharp and clean pair of secateurs. With over 35 years of experience growing hebes, Charlie Bewley is the Owner of Hic Bibi Wholesale Nurseries, based in Chorley, UK. . Cut back back dead flowers and up to a third of foliage in late summer, after flowering, to encourage strong new growth and a good bushy shape. Remove the cover when the cuttings have started to show signs of growth. A popular hybrid hebe that was introduced in the 1960s. To promote growth, dip in cuttings and apply some controlled-release fertilizer around the base. Hebe shrubs prefer moist, but well-drained soil and if grown on compacted or heavy soil that can become waterlogged it is advisable to incorporate some organic matter into the soil to improve the drainage. Hebe. You can reach out to me at john@pyracantha.co.uk. The new growth on this hebe has dark stems and pink-edged leaves, which complement the purple flowers. You should apply a feed to the plant between April and September in two months intervals, which includes a small handful of bone meal worked into the compost. Learn more about propagating Hebes from cuttings in this guide. Instead, you want to prune back until you still have a few buds present on every stem. As hebes do best in poor soil, there's no need to add organic matter, so simply place the rootball in the hole, ensuring it's at the same depth it was growing in the pot. It is ironic that a plant named for the Greek goddess of youth should be short-lived. Position: full sun or partial shade. A hebe that is a truly spectacular sight during the winter when the narrow, lance-shaped leaves turn a vibrant burgundy colour. Insert a stick, pencil, or pen to create a hole straight down in the middle into which you will place the cuttings. Too rich a soil will encourage weak, lax growth for your hebe that will be susceptible to frost damage. Hebe plants need poor, well-drained soil in an open, sunny situation. Prepare the cuttings by shortening them to about 10-15cm long, cutting just below the point where a set of leaves is growing. Grow in borders and containers. Pruning hebes is fairly simple if you follow a simple process for trimming the plant: Deadhead any spent flowers once faded. Typically grows up to 12-18 in. The young leaves have a pale margin that ages to a creamy yellow in May and June. I have a Hebe midsummer beauty. Dont forget to bring them indoors all winter under a veranda or a cold greenhouse. Otherwise, also let nature take its course: most Hebe self-sow themselves and surprise you by popping up in different places in the garden. Moreover, they have a reputation for being short-lived. Hebe Speciosa Variegata "Shrubby veronica", Shrubby Veronica is characterized by variegated greyish green leaves with creamy margins. The majority of hebe species are only winter hardy in USDA hardiness zones 8 or higher, which includes the southern United States and parts of the coasts. If you want belt-and-braces security, you can dip the end of the hebe cutting in hormone rooting powder or rooting gel. Words John Hoyland, photographs Dianna Jazwinski. Our site is reader supported, this means we may earn a small commission from Amazon and other affiliates when you buy through links on our site. It grows up to six feet high. Hebe eliptica bushes need to be cut back after flowering. Hebes are low maintenance so you only need to do a few things to keep them happy. For potted hebes, you might need to transplant into larger pots after a year to give the roots more room to spread. RHS H3. Grace Kelly grows about 2-3 feet tall and wide. Prune back in mid to late spring if desired. In clay and compact soil, shrub speedwells live less long. Pruning hebes. Named after the Greek goddess of youth, hebes are low-maintenance plants that maintain their decorative (often variegated) foliage all year round. Keep young hebes indoors during winter and transplant in spring. When pruned well and sparingly these shrubby Veronicas can enhance any garden or container. With compact varieties like the Hebe Green Globe, you also want to prune to maintain their shape by removing the top 5-10cm every year. Deadheading old flowers on Hebe plants is well worth the effort as it could extend the flowering period for your particular plant or encourage further flowering later in the year. It must be said that the genus Hebe has in its ranks no less than 350 varieties of plants distinguished by the shape of their leaves and the color of their flowers. Spread a little compost at its feet every spring. Prune back in mid to late spring if desired. At the end of winter, you want to inspect your hebe plant and prune away damaged stems. Was 15.00. Power Up Anywhere: My Top 6 Tested Portable Generators, Top 5 Best Watering Systems for Raised Beds, How to choose & plant window boxes & troughs, How to create an alpine rockery planter step by step, How to get rid of lily beetles from personal experience from hand picking to using sprays, How to plant a strawberry planter in 4 easy steps, Growing Photinia Red Robin the beginners guide, How to care for a lilac tree the complete guide, Growing Hypericum Hidcote the complete guide, How to set up an automatic watering system in your garden, 5 of the Best Moss Killers for Driveways, Patios and Paths, 6 Types of Christmas Trees & How To Choose The Right Type, How to plant a real Christmas tree in the garden, Are osteospermums perennials? Slower growing whipcord hebes, which resemble . 1m. Note this is the default cart. They should not be pruned in late Autumn nor winter months. How to grow hebes - Saga A dense, rounded hebe shrub with small, elliptical, glossy leaves, about 1cm long, that resemble those of boxwood. Planting, pruning, and maintenance for hebe plants Similar to shrubby veronica, it grows up to 3-4 inches tall and as wide. AGM. Join 14,000 landscaping professionals who get helpful insights and important news delivered straight to their inbox with the, By providing your email, you agree to our. When is the best time to prune Green . If you have a greenhouse or cold frame, store the cuttings there, otherwise cover the pot and cuttings with a plastic bag in a light, warm place away from direct sunlight. After a harsh winter some stems may have been burnt by frost. All you need for this is small shoots that you cut off anyway. Cookies, This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. Deadheading of the flowers as soon as they fade, will ensure the continuation of the flowering period. 1m. How to cultivate and maintain the Hebe ? Immediately pop these into a plastic bag and keep them in the shade until you are indoors and ready to pot them. The striking, dark-green leaves have a red edge and are entirely plum-coloured when they emerge. Before you place the cuttings into the containers it is important to dip the end in rooting hormone powder. These are cuttings you take between July and September. Similarly, root rot will kill the entire plant if left to its own devices. The new shoots that grow from lower down on the stems after pruning, should stop just before reaching buds that would break and form new branches for future growth in springtime or summer months. 65cm. Planting and transplanting shrubs can be tricky, and you might need the help of a local certified arborist. Hebe Green Globe is an ornamental shrub also known as Shrubby Veronica Green Globe. A hebe can grow between 40cm to 1.5m, and most hebes prefer poor, well-drained soil. 6. It grows up to. Enjoy insights on everything from paths and parking spaces to wildflowers and water features, so that you can be confident in starting to create the garden of your dreams. Rate of growth: average. When it comes to customer service, silence can be a bad thing. Hard Pruning for Common Shrubs - FineGardening