If you’re looking to add a little flair to your garden with a Hebe (also known as Shrubby Veronica), you’ve got plenty of options—there are over 140 varieties to choose from! These beauties are part of the plantain family and originally hail from New Zealand. One thing to keep in mind, though: Hebes can be a bit sensitive to the cold, so only a handful of varieties are truly happy in our northern climates.
The Varieties
Generally speaking, we group these plants into three main categories:
- Small Hebes (partially hardy)
- Larger Hebes (also partially hardy)
- Non-hardy varieties
A good rule of thumb to remember is that varieties with smaller leaves tend to handle the cold much better than their large-leafed cousins. And it’s not just about size—the foliage is stunningly diverse! You can find them in everything from bright lime green and yellow to blue-grey or even a deep, moody blue-black.
Small Hebe Varieties
One popular choice is Hebe addenda. This little shrub usually tops out at around 10 inches and puts on a show from August to October with lovely pink or rose-colored blooms. Because of its compact size, it’s a perfect candidate for container gardening.
The Hebe ochracea grows a bit taller, reaching about 16 inches. It features blue or purple flowers that start popping as early as July.
If you’re looking for something structural, the “Green Globe” variety grows to about 20 inches. While it doesn’t have showy flowers, it’s an evergreen rockstar that handles pruning beautifully. You can even trim it into geometric shapes for a formal look.
For a bit of shimmer, check out Hebe pimeleoides ‘Quick Silver.’ It stays low (6 to 12 inches) and has striking silvery leaves, accented by light blue or purple flowers starting in July.
Then there’s ‘James Stirling,’ which has tiny, dense leaves in soft green or even gold. At only 8 inches tall, it’s an absolute gem for rock gardens.
Larger Hebe Varieties
If you need something with a bit more height, Hebe armstrongii can reach about 3 feet. It has subtle flowers and does great in large pots. Even taller is Hebe salicifolia, which hits about 4 feet and blooms in lilac or white from June to August. Hebe speciosa reaches a similar height, showing off blue or purple flowers from July through September. One of the giants of the family is Hebe Andersonii ‘Variegata,’ which can grow up to 6 feet tall! It’s a real head-turner with variegated white-and-green leaves and light lilac flowers starting in July.
Non-Hardy Varieties
These varieties are gorgeous but definitely need protection from the frost. Some common ones include:
- Hebe andersonii: Grows to about 2 feet with large leaves and violet blooms.
- Hebe pimeleoides var. Glaucocaerulia: A compact 12-inch shrub with deep purple flowers.
