Plant care & info

Family: Scrophulariaceae (figwort or foxglove family)

Genus: Hebe

Origin: New Zealand

Full sun.

Requires excellent drainage. Drainage in the soil can’t be overstated. Hebes are far more likely to suffer in our heavy clay soils, especially in waterlogged winters.

Hebes aren’t particularly drought tolerant. Many Hebes are damaged in winter when temps drop below freezing and there is no precipitation. Dry soil and dry air is very hard on evergreen plants, so make sure to water, even in winter.

Prune after bloom by cutting back branches that bloomed by half to maintain compact form, as they bloom on new growth. Also a good thinning every couple years keeps Hebe in good shape. They can be rejuvenated by cutting back severely, as they will sprout from old, leafless wood as long as not all the green growth is removed.

The thing is that some Hebes are perfectly hardy in Portland. The key is to know which ones are reliable and which ones are not, so if you choose to take a chance on a more tender Hebe, you do it with open eyes, knowing it may end in tears, but ready to enjoy the time you have together.

Generally speaking, the smaller the leaf, the hardier the Hebe; the more impressive the flowers, the more tender. These are no a hard and fast rules, so always read labels.

Hardy Hebes

We feature Hebes that are hardy in USDA Zone 7 to be reliably hardy in Portland.

Tender Hebes

Portland’s USDA hardiness zone is Zone 8B, which means that temps don’t usually go below 15F (of course we know it does get colder sometimes, but not often). Many of our winters are warmer, and in those years, tender Hebes typically survive and even look great while doing it! For best success, plant tender Hebes in spring or early summer so they can get established well before threatening cold, make sure to keep them watered during dry spells in winter (and summer too), and cross your fingers for a warm winter.

Because they’re so temperamental, we focus on tender Hebes that have exquisite foliage or flowers.

Explore More Hebes

Hebe 'Caledonia'

Hebe ‘Caledonia’

Lavender flowers in July-August.

New leaves are purple and turn blue-green with purple stems.

Grows 2′ x 2′.

Hebe 'Champion'

Hebe ‘Champion’

If you want purple flowers combined with hardiness, this is the Hebe for you.

Violet purple flowers spikes bloom in summer and fall. Cute round leaves are green with a red edge.

Grows 12-18″ x 18-24″.

Hebe 'Karo Golden Esk'

Hebe ‘Karo Golden Esk’

Bright green leaves are scaly and have a ferny or coniferous appearance.

White flowers in summer are on old wood and can be hidden by leaves, but this Hebe is all about the foliage, so it’s okay.

Grows wider than tall, 2′ x 3′.

Hebe 'Pretty in Pink'

Hebe ‘Pretty in Pink’

This is easily our most popular Hebe and justly so. Short pink flower spikes appear in summer. New leaves are purple maturing to dark green with a purple reverse.

Its tidy habit is low and dense, making it great for growing in containers or for the edge of a sunny border.

Grows 12″ x 24″.

Hebe 'Red Edge'

Hebe ‘Red Edge’

Pale lilac flowers in summer, blue-green leaves are edged red.

Grows 18″ x 24″.

Hebe Ochracea 'James Stirling'

Hebe Ochracea ‘James Stirling’

People are often surprised to discover that this Hebe is not a conifer. The cool ochre yellow leaves are scaly and look a lot like a thread-branch cypress, so the confusion is understandable. White flowers appear sporadically in summer.

‘James Stirling’ grows in an upright anvil or vase shape to about 2′ x 2′.

Hebe Pimeleoides 'Quicksilver'

Hebe Pimeleoides ‘Quicksilver’

Tiny frosty blue leaves, black stems and lavender flowers.

Grows 12″ x 24″.

Hebe Pinguifolia 'Pagei'

Hebe Pinguifolia ‘Pagei’

Cute round frosty blue leaves, white flowers and low ground cover shape.

Grows 9″ x 36″.

Hebe ‘Amy’

Hebe ‘Amy’

Amy is a heartbreaker. Big spikes of vibrant purple flowers and large oblong glossy leaves with purple new growth lure you in.

In mild winters it looks great, but our colder winters cause damage to the outer edges (if it’s not killed all together).

The damaged part has to be cut back so while it may reach the 4’x4′ that the labels predict, it will not stay there consistently.

Hebe 'Autumn Glory'

Hebe ‘Autumn Glory’

Spikes of lavender-blue flowers in late summer-fall. Oblong large green leaves and maroon stems.

Grows 18-24″ x 24-36″.

Hebe 'Marilyn Monroe'

Hebe ‘Marilyn Monroe’

Flowers open to saturated pinkish-purple and fade to white. Narrow new leaves are magenta pink and turn gray-green with a white edge. The overall look is of muted silvery tones and it’s wonderful!

Grows 2′ x 2′.

Hebe 'Patty's Purple'

Hebe ‘Patty’s Purple’

Lavender flowers, narrow green leaves, burgundy stems. Leaves are neat and tidy and flowers are prolific in late summer.

Grows 2′ x 2′.

Hebe 'Purple Shamrock'

Hebe ‘Purple Shamrock’

This plant is all about the leaves. Narrow green and gold leaves are brushed with purple toward the tips on burgundy stems. Small clusters of lavender flowers highlight the leaves late in summer.

Grows 2′ x 2′.