Consulta Plantas

Care of the shrub Hebe speciosa or New Zealand hebe

The genus Hebe, family Plantaginaceae, includes 90 species of shrubs native to South America, New Zealand, Australia and some Pacific islands. Sometimes the genus Hebe is included in the genus Veronica. Some species are: Hebe speciosa, Hebe albicans, Hebe stricta, Hebe salicifolia, Hebe diosmifolia, Hebe acutiflora.

Common names: New Zealand hebe, Showy hebe, Showy-speedwell. This species is native to New Zealand.

They are evergreen shrubs with a compact bearing and opposite branches that reach 1.5 meters (4.92 feet) in height. The light green or variegated leaves are ovobad in shape and appear symmetrically along the branches. The flowers appear in compact spikes and can be blue, white, red or purple. They bloom in summer and early fall.

They are used to form borders, low hedges, bushes and potted patios for patios and terraces. They are ideal for coastal gardens due to their resistance to salinity and wind.

Hebe speciosa prefers a light shade exposure. They resist light and occasional frosts.

They need well-drained soil with abundant organic matter. Planting is done in autumn or spring.

Water regularly throughout the year so that the substrate does not dry out completely; never flood.

Fertilize every 15 days in summer with mineral fertilizer and in late winter with compost

Prune faded flowers and do light pruning in early spring to strengthen the plant.

They are resistant plants to the usual pests and diseases.

They are propagated by division and by cuttings in the fall and from seed sown in the seedbed in the spring.

Images of the shrub Hebe speciosa or New Zealand hebe