Other Names:  Hollow-leaved Hebe, Shrubby Veronica

Description:

A low, dense, mounded variety with blue cast leaves that sometimes have thin red edges; white flowers bloom profusely in summer to early autumn; great small scale groundcover; will tolerate some mild frost, and should be sheltered

Ornamental Features

Buchanan's Hebe has masses of beautiful clusters of white flowers held atop the branches from early summer to early fall, which emerge from distinctive creamy white flower buds, and which are most effective when planted in groupings. It has attractive bluish-green foliage edged in red with hints of chartreuse. The fuzzy oval leaves are highly ornamental and remain bluish-green throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

Buchanan's Hebe is an open multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a mounded form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It is a good choice for attracting birds, bees and butterflies to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Buchanan's Hebe is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Rock/Alpine Gardens
• General Garden Use
• Groundcover
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Buchanan's Hebe will grow to be about 12 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 18 inches. It has a low canopy. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in sandy soils. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This species is not originally from North America.

Buchanan's Hebe makes a fine choice for the outdoor landscape, but it is also well-suited for use in outdoor pots and containers. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a mass of flowers and foliage against which the thriller plants stand out. Note that when grown in a container, it may not perform exactly as indicated on the tag - this is to be expected. Also note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.