Propagation
Cold stratified seeds, for 28 days and then place in a protected environment to germinate. Seedling variation occurs regularly and seeds are prone to fungal attack.

Semi-hardwood cuttings of non-flowering shoots taken from late summer to early autumn and placed in a protected environment with bottom heat.


Botanic information
Leaf: The variable leaves are lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, up to 25 mm (1in) wide and tapers to along to accumulate apex. The glabrous upper surface is dull dark green and the underside is pale green.
Note: the leaf bud does not have a sinus. This is a distinguishing feature of this plant.

Flower: The white to pale lilac tubulate flowers have a short pedestal with lanceolate calyx lobes.The corolla has a short tube with spreading ovate lobes with an obtuse apex. They are arranged densely in an axillary raceme that is up to 150 mm (6in) long by 25 mm (1in) in diameter and appear profusely during summer.

Fruit: The small capsule tends to be pendant and contains numerous seeds that are dispersed by wind. The small seeds are viable but the plant is commonly reproduced vegetatively, to maintain true to type.


General information
Hebe requires an annual light prune to maintain a compact habit. If the plant becomes leggy a hard prune may result in dieback of the plant.

Hebe grows and produces more flowers in full sun, but will tolerate some shade. They are generally pH adaptable preferring and organic rich moist soil but care must be taken not to allow the roots to dry out. They also tolerate cold conditions and a widely cultivated in the UK and parts of the USA.