Hebeis an evergreen plant from the goblin family, which includes over 100 species ranging from a few cm to even several meters in height. It owes its name to the Greek goddess of youth. It can be grown as a pot plant, but there are also species that are perfect for the garden. See whatcultivating and caring for Hebe in the gardenand see what interestingvarieties of Hebeare worth choosing for planting in the garden!
Hebe is a garden or pot plant, depending on the requirements of the variety
What does hebe look like?
Hebe are small plantscreating thickets in their natural environment, sometimes reaching 2 meters in height (in our gardens it will be a success to see one meter tall specimens). They cover large areas of Tasmania and New Zealand, but can also be found in Chile and New Guinea. In places of their natural occurrence, rainfall is frequent and abundant, the air is saturated with moisture, and the winters are mild and short. Despite their origin, there are species among them that perform well in conditions of a cooler temperate climate with harsher winters and hot, dry summers.
Hebe blooms with tiny white, blue or purple flowersgathered in larger clusters at the ends of the shoots. The flowering period of Hebe lasts, depending on the species, from the end of May until the first frost.Hebe plants, depending on the species,have erect or creeping, strongly dense shoots covered with small stiff leaves.The surface of the leaf blade is often covered with a wax coating, thanks to which the plants do not suffer from physiological drought in winter, and in summer they are able to survive even the greatest heat without watering.
Hebe during flowering
Fig. pixabay.com
Hebe in the garden - cultivation and care
Soil requirements, Hebe cultivation position
All Hebe species in the garden require permeable, acidic humus soil , so they will grow perfectly in a bed with heathers and heathers, where acid garden peat, compost and conifer mulch have been added to the substrate . In other words - they are great plants for the moor.
For Hebe, a position in full sunis the best, but they will also perform well in light shade. Since their root system is not the most developed, they respond perfectly to the addition of clay in the substrate and regular watering (at least in the first season after planting) during prolonged drought.It is also worth mulching the area around the plants with composted pine bark or acidic compost, which will prevent weeds from growing and quickly losing moisture from the soil.
Hebe fertilization
ForHebe fertilizationyou can use one of the commonly available compound fertilizers for acidophilic plants, right after moving vegetation and again in mid-May. Since the end of July, fall fertilizers have been used potassium-phosphorus, increasing the frost resistance of plants in the event of a long, frosty and snowless winter.
Once planted, Hebe does not require cutting , except for the removal of faded inflorescences and twigs damaged by frost or diseases.
Hebe does not require pruning but it is worth removing faded inflorescences
Fig. pixabay.com
Wintering Hebe in the garden
Wintering hebe
Young plants should be covered only in the first winter after planting, then it is not necessary.On the other hand, allHebeplants should be protected against the effects of frosty, drying winds. Airy cover made of coniferous twigs is best for this purpose, ensuring proper air circulation and preventing the occurrence of fungal diseases.
Propagation hebe
If we would like to obtain new plants bypropagating Hebegrown in the garden, we can take cuttings from the middle parts of non-lignified shoots in early spring and place them in a light and permeable substrate (a mixture of acid peat and sand in a ratio of 1: 1 will be the best here). Covered with foil and placed in a bright and warm place,Hebe cuttingsusually take 6 weeks to root. Since the lower shoots easily put out adventitious roots, you can also sprinkle the base of the plant with compost in the spring and keep it moist all the time. In August, it will be possible to cut off rooted cuttings and plant them in pots, which should be kept in a bright, cool room during the winter.We don't blow them up until next spring.
Hebe Tłustolistna - Hebe pinguifolia
Fig. pixabay.com
Hebe - diseases and pests, problems in cultivation
Hebehardly ever get sick. The only thing that threatens them is leaf spot and gray mold, which we fight with one of the chemicals recommended for this purpose. Biological preparations such as Bioczos or Grevit, which are not toxic to humans and animals, are perfect here, so they can also be used in closed rooms to combat fungal diseases of seedlings. Occasionally, dwarf shrubs are attacked by aphids and thrips, but if they are not large in mass, you can leave them alone, because within 2-3 weeks their natural enemies will deal with them and no trace of the pest colonies will be left.
Recommended Hebe species and varieties
Hebe speciesrecommended for cultivation in Polish climate conditions are:
Hebe widłakowata(Hebe lycopodioides) - it has shoots densely covered with small, stiff, juicy green leaves, the shape of the plant really resembles a clump of club moss with erect stems 20-30 centimeters high. This species is perfect for arranging larger areas between heather clumps, and also as a border plant, because the beautiful shape and small leaves make it the best when planted in front of a bed.
Hebe widłakowata - Hebe lycopodioides
Hebe ochracea(Hebe ochracea) - in its homeland it often reaches over a meter in height, in our gardens it will grow much shorter, in the height range of 30 - 40 cm. The plant forms dense, highly branched shoots, partially lying on the ground, covered with tiny leaves, more like scales. Most people associate tufts of this species with the habit of giant mosses, and the rebate with their participation gains a unique character.
Hebe ochracea - Hebe ochracea
Hebe boxwood(Hebe buxifolia) - is another species that in our climatic conditions is a real giant among representatives of its kind. It grows up to a meter tall and has small, pointed, dark green leaves that are very similar to boxwood leaves. This similarity explains perfectly the origin of the species name.
Hebe fat-leaf(Hebe pinguifolia) - has beautiful round leaves with a sharp point. The entire surface of the leaf blade is covered with a waxy coating which makes the leaves appear greasy. This species grows up to about 50 cm and as a result of breeding a beautiful garden variety with a maroon-red border around the edges of the leaves, which contrasts beautifully with the gray color of the wax coating.
Hebe Tłustolistna - Hebe pinguifolia
Many sellers recommendhebe Anderson(Hebe andersonii) for garden cultivation, but I suggest not to experiment with it as a garden plant.Both the species and its numerous varieties are characterized by unreliable frost resistance. There is a high risk that the plant will not survive one relatively mild winter after surviving one winter, causing great disappointment. However, this species is perfect for growing in containers on terraces, and also as a seasonal plant decorating balcony boxes in late summer and autumn. We can overwinter it if we have a cool and bright room, where the temperature in winter does not drop below 0 ° C.
I strongly encourage you to grow these beautiful plants in your gardens and allotments. Due to the ease of cultivation and the unusual, exotic appearance, Hebe will be a beautiful decoration of any flowerbed not only during spring and summer, but also during winter colds.
Emil Gwizdała
