Hebe (Shrubby Veronica)

As Early Summer Builds, Hebe Starts To Stud Its Neat Evergreen Mounds With Spikes Of Colour That Carry The Garden Right On Into Autumn.

Evergreen Foliage In Manageable Sizes

Hebes offer that highly prized combination of being evergreen and yet rarely overwhelming. Their leaves stay on the plant through winter, giving structure and a touch of neatness when many perennials are asleep, but most varieties stay within a sensible 60cm–1.5m range. This makes them ideal for front gardens, small borders and drives where you don’t want big shrubs taking over. Variegated and coloured foliage types are particularly good at brightening dull corners and providing contrast with plainer greens.

Evergreen Foliage In Manageable Sizes
Long-Flowering Spikes On Compact Plants
Versatile Shrubs For Real-World Gardens

Hebe at a Glance:

Common name: Shrubby Veronica

Latin name: Hebe and garden cultivars

Size in UK gardens: Most varieties reach around 60cm–1.5m tall and wide in time, with dwarf forms smaller and taller types a little larger.

Best position: A sunny or lightly shaded, reasonably sheltered spot, ideally out of the very coldest winds so foliage and flowers stay neat.

Soil: Moist but free‑draining garden soil, preferably reasonably fertile; dislikes heavy, waterlogged clay or very dry, stony ground with no added organic matter.

Flowering time: Usually summer into early autumn, with many varieties giving a long season of neat flower spikes above evergreen foliage.

Fragrance: Flowers are usually only lightly scented close up; Hebe is grown mainly for colour, shape and all‑year foliage.

Hardiness: Generally hardy in much of the UK, including many Cambridgeshire and East Anglian gardens, though some forms may suffer in severe or very exposed winters.

Care level: Low to moderate; easy once established, needing regular watering in dry spells and light pruning to keep it compact and flowering well.

Sun & Shelter Advice for Hebe:

☀️ Best light: Hebes flower best in full sun to light, open shade. Aim for at least a good half‑day of sun for strong, bushy growth and plenty of flower spikes; in very hot, dry spots, a touch of afternoon shade can help prevent stress.

☀️ Shelter and walls: A reasonably sheltered position, perhaps near a fence, low wall or other shrubs, helps protect the evergreen foliage from cold, drying winds. In breezier East Anglian gardens, a bit of shelter will keep leaves and flowers looking fresh for much longer.

☀️ What to avoid: Very exposed, wind‑swept positions and frost pockets can scorch foliage and cut flowers short in hard winters. Deep, gloomy shade will leave plants leggy and reluctant to flower, and low, boggy ground is likely to cause root problems.

☀️ Where to plant: Hebes are perfect for the front of borders, in small beds near patios and paths, and in front gardens where you want a compact evergreen with lots of colour. They also sit happily near doorways or along drives as low, informal features you see every day.

Soil Requirements for Hebe:

🪏 Preferred soil type: Hebes like a moist but well‑drained soil that doesn’t sit heavy and cold in winter. A decent garden loam improved with compost suits them very well, and they are particularly content where water can drain freely away from their roots.

🪏 Soil pH and health: Most garden Hebes are fairly adaptable, growing in slightly acidic through to slightly alkaline soils, as long as the soil is not extremely chalky or shallow over rock. Poor, starved, compacted or constantly soggy ground can lead to weak growth, yellowing leaves and poor flowering, so improving soil structure and fertility really helps.

🪏 Improving tricky spots: A bit of preparation at planting time makes these evergreen shrubs much easier to live with.

• Planting in an improved raised bed or gently mounded border with added organic matter and, on heavy clay, some grit, lifts roots above the worst of the winter wet and gives better drainage.

• Growing in a large container with a good quality peat‑free, loam‑based compost mixed with some grit or bark is an excellent option on very heavy or very thin soils, or where you want to keep Hebes right by a door or seating area.

Hebe Hardiness:

🍃 General hardiness: Hamamelis is fully hardy across most of the UK and takes ordinary winters very calmly. In places like Ely, Newmarket and the wider East Anglia area it behaves as a tough, deciduous shrub, leafless through winter but already packed with flower buds.

🍃 Cold and foliage damage: The winter flowers are cleverly adapted to cold: in frost the petals often curl up tightly against the calyx for protection, then relax and open again when temperatures rise. Established plants tolerate low temperatures without harm; any minor tip damage is usually outgrown quickly in spring.

🍃 In cooler or exposed spots: In very exposed or high gardens, choose a spot with some shelter and add a generous mulch around the root zone in autumn to buffer temperature swings. Young plants may benefit from a little fleece in exceptionally hard frosts, particularly during their first winter or two.

Garden Uses for Hebe:

Compact Colour At The Front Of Borders: Hebes are ideal for the front or middle of borders where you want neat evergreen mounds and a long run of flowers. Their tidy shape and colourful spikes work beautifully alongside perennials, grasses and other small shrubs, helping to tie planting together from early summer well into autumn.

Year-Round Structure For Small Gardens: In modest town plots, Hebes punch above their weight by offering both all‑year foliage and a good season of bloom. A handful dotted through a small garden can give you reliable structure when other plants are cut back, and then burst into colour as the year warms up, making them perfect “do‑a‑bit‑of‑everything” shrubs.

Low Edging And Informal Mini Hedges: Many compact Hebes can be planted in a loose row to form low edging or a mini hedge along paths, drives or the front of borders. Trimmed lightly after flowering, they form a soft, green ribbon that looks smarter than bare soil but feels less formal than a rigid box hedge. Variegated forms give even more interest.

Containers For Patios, Balconies And Doorways: Because of their compact habit and evergreen leaves, Hebes are excellent container plants. In large pots or troughs, they provide year‑round structure on patios and balconies, and look splendid by front doors, especially with seasonal bulbs or trailing plants at their feet. Just make sure pots drain freely and don’t dry out for too long.

Wildlife Benefits of Hebe:

🐝 Nectar-Rich Spikes For Pollinators: Hebe flowers are a favourite with bees and other pollinating insects, especially in mid to late summer when their neat spikes are packed with accessible nectar and pollen. In a mixed border, you’ll often see bumblebees calmly working along the flower heads on still days.

🦋 Extended Season For Garden Insects: Because many Hebes flower over quite a long period, they help to extend the season for visiting insects. Butterflies, hoverflies and other beneficial pollinators will make use of the blooms, especially when combined with other nectar‑rich plants nearby, helping to keep your garden lively and buzzing.

🐞 Evergreen Cover For Mini-Beasts: The dense evergreen foliage and the mulched soil at the base of mature Hebes provide year‑round nooks and crannies for small invertebrates. These mini‑beasts help break down leaf litter, improve soil and provide food for birds and other wildlife, contributing quietly to a healthy garden ecosystem.

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Grown Locally By Us.

Rather than travelling halfway across Europe, our mimosa trees are grown on site by the Simpson’s team. They’re toughened to local conditions, properly potted, and ready to get growing the moment you plant them.

Hebe Care at a Glance:

Planting time: As container‑grown shrubs, Hebes can be planted in most months when the soil isn’t frozen or waterlogged, with spring and autumn usually the easiest times for them to establish.

Watering: Water regularly in the first growing season, especially in dry weather and on sandy soils. Once established in the ground, they usually only need extra watering during prolonged dry spells.

Feeding: A light mulch of garden compost in spring helps keep the soil in good condition. On poorer soils or in pots, a modest application of balanced fertiliser in spring will support strong, flowering growth.

Pruning: Lightly trim after the main flush of flowers to remove spent spikes and keep plants bushy. Older, leggy specimens can be gently thinned, but avoid cutting hard into very old wood if possible.

Winter: Most Hebes are hardy enough for normal winters in sheltered spots, though some foliage may scorch in severe cold. A mulch around the base and a little extra shelter for container plants can help them through harder winters.

How to Plant a Hebe:

1. Prepare the hole: Dig a planting hole roughly twice as wide as the pot and just a little deeper. This gives plenty of loosened soil around the rootball so young roots can move out easily.

2. Loosen the soil: Use a fork to break up the soil in the base and sides of the hole. This encourages roots to spread into the surrounding ground rather than circling in a tight, smooth‑sided pit.

3. Improve poor or heavy soil: On heavy clay, mix in well‑rotted compost and some grit or sharp sand to improve drainage and structure; on very light, sandy soils, extra organic matter will help hold moisture and nutrients around the roots.

4. Set the plant in place: Gently remove the Hebe from its pot, keeping the rootball intact. Place it in the hole so the top of the compost sits level with the surrounding soil, and orient the plant so its best face looks towards your main viewpoint.

5. Backfill and firm: Refill around the rootball with your improved soil, working it carefully between the roots and firming lightly with your hands or boot. Remove obvious air pockets but avoid compacting the soil so much that drainage is affected.

6. Support if required: Most Hebes are low and bushy, so they rarely need staking. Tall or freshly planted specimens in windy sites may benefit from a short cane and soft tie in their first season, checked regularly for rubbing.

7. Water and mulch: Water thoroughly after planting so the soil settles around the roots. Add a light mulch of compost or fine bark around, but not touching, the stems to help conserve moisture and keep down weeds while the plant establishes.

Watering & Feeding Hebe:

💧 Establishing young plants: In the first year or two, water deeply once or twice a week in dry weather, especially on sandy or free‑draining soils. Allow the top of the soil to dry slightly between waterings rather than keeping it constantly soaked.

💧 Once established: Established Hebes like soil that is on the moist side of free‑draining but they will tolerate short dry spells. In typical UK conditions they may only need extra water during prolonged hot, dry weather, particularly in lighter soils or raised beds.

💧 Deep vs light watering: When you water, aim for a slow, thorough soak so moisture reaches the deeper roots. Frequent, light sprinkling can encourage shallow rooting and is less helpful than occasional, deeper watering in building resilience.

💧 Feeding routine: In the ground, a yearly mulch of compost or well‑rotted manure in spring is usually enough. On very poor soils, or where you want particularly good flowering, a light dose of balanced fertiliser in spring can be beneficial.

🪴 Plants in pots: Container Hebes dry out more quickly and need checking regularly in warm or windy weather. Water when the top couple of centimetres of compost feel dry, and use a slow‑release fertiliser or occasional liquid feed during the growing season, making sure excess water can drain away freely.

Pruning Advice for Hebe:

✂️ Natural habit: Hebes naturally make neat, branching shrubs with a rounded or slightly domed outline. They generally look best when pruning works with this habit, keeping them compact and bushy rather than forcing sharp, formal shapes.

✂️ Best time to prune: The main time to prune is after the main flush of flowers, usually in late summer. This allows you to remove spent flower spikes and tidy the plant without cutting off next year’s buds. Light touch‑ups later on are fine if needed.

✂️ What to remove: Snip off faded flower spikes and lightly shorten the tips of stems to encourage branching. Remove any dead, damaged or straggly shoots at their base or back to a strong side shoot, keeping the centre reasonably open.

✂️ Keeping it young and tidy: Every year or two, you can thin out a few of the oldest stems low down to encourage fresh growth from the base and keep plants dense. Avoid cutting everything back hard at once; Hebes respond better to gentle, regular shaping than to drastic renovation.

Winter Protection Tips for Hebe:

❄️ Typical winters: In many UK gardens, especially in sheltered towns and milder parts, established Hebes in the ground come through normal winters with only minor foliage marking. They’ll often look a little battle‑worn by spring but soon refresh themselves with new growth.

❄️ Colder or exposed spots: In colder or more exposed gardens, a mulch around the base in late autumn helps protect roots and reduce stress. During very hard frosts, a light covering of fleece over smaller plants can reduce leaf scorch, especially for more tender or variegated varieties.

🪴 Plants in pots:

• Move container‑grown Hebes into a more sheltered spot, such as near a house wall or into a courtyard, during very cold or windy weather.

• Wrap the pot with bubble wrap or hessian in prolonged frosts to protect the rootball from repeated freezing and thawing.

• Check drainage holes regularly so pots don’t sit in cold, waterlogged compost, which can be more damaging to roots than the air temperature alone.

Potential Hebe Pests & Diseases:

🌱 General health: Hebes are generally robust and healthy in UK gardens when planted in suitable, well‑drained soil and given some shelter. Problems are usually minor and often linked to stress from poor drainage, drought or exposure.

🪲 Common minor pests: Aphids and the odd caterpillar may nibble leaves or soft tips in summer; in containers, vine weevils can chew roots and cause plants to wilt. Light infestations are often tolerable or controlled by predators; heavier problems may need a suitable insecticidal soap or vine‑weevil treatment, always following product instructions.

🍂 Disease risks: Hebes can be prone to root and stem problems if grown in cold, waterlogged soil, and in very damp, still conditions leaf spots or mildew can appear. Good drainage, air circulation and avoiding overcrowding significantly reduce the risk of serious disease.

🍂 Normal vs worrying changes: A little leaf bronzing or scorching after a hard winter, or some yellowing and drop of older leaves, is quite normal and can be tidied away in spring. Sudden collapse of whole sections, blackened stems or persistent wilting in moist soil are more worrying signs and suggest root or stem decay that needs attention.

🌱 Simple prevention: Plant Hebes in free‑draining soil, avoid overwatering and don’t leave pots standing in saucers of water for long periods. Give each plant enough room for air to move through the foliage and refresh a yearly mulch to keep the soil in good condition. A little regular care is usually all that’s needed to keep them in fine fettle.

Varieties We Usually Stock

Availability is always changing, so please check with us if you have a particular variety in mind.

Acer campestre

Acer campestre 'Elsrijk'

Acer campestre 'Queen Elizabeth'

Acer campestre 'Carnival'

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Hebe is very well suited to smaller spaces and front gardens. Most varieties stay within a manageable size range, and many are naturally compact, making them perfect for narrow borders along paths, driveways and house fronts. Because they are evergreen, they provide structure and a sense of planting even in winter, while in summer they produce plenty of flowers to brighten the approach to your home. With thoughtful choice of variety and the occasional light trim, Hebes can give a neat, friendly feel to a modest plot without crowding everything else out.

Size varies with the variety, but most garden Hebes in UK conditions reach around 60cm–1.5m in height and spread over several years. Dwarf forms may stay nearer 30–50cm, while a few more vigorous types can grow a little taller and wider if left unpruned. Growth is generally steady rather than explosive, so you have time to see how they’re settling in. If space is tight, choose a named compact cultivar and give it a light trim after flowering each year to keep it dense and tidy.

Absolutely – Hebes are excellent choices for containers. Choose a generous pot with drainage holes and fill it with a good peat‑free, loam‑based compost mixed with a little grit or bark for structure. Place the pot in a sunny or lightly shaded, sheltered spot and water regularly in dry weather, as containers dry out faster than borders. A slow‑release fertiliser or occasional liquid feed in the growing season will keep foliage and flowers looking their best. Over time, you may need to refresh the compost and prune lightly to maintain a pleasing size and shape.

Most Hebes sold as hardy garden shrubs will cope with normal UK winters, especially in sheltered, well‑drained positions. In colder inland areas or very exposed sites, some may experience foliage scorch or top dieback in severe cold, but many will shoot again from lower down in spring. Providing a mulch around the base, avoiding waterlogged soil and positioning them out of the worst winds will improve their chances. Container plants are more vulnerable, as their roots can freeze more easily, so moving pots to a sheltered spot and wrapping the container in very hard weather is a sensible precaution.

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Hebe

As Early Summer Builds, Hebe Starts To Stud Its Neat Evergreen Mounds With Spikes Of Colour That Carry The Garden Right On Into Autumn.

Evergreen Foliage In Manageable Sizes

Hebe at a Glance:

Sun & Shelter Advice for Hebe:

Soil Requirements for Hebe:

Hebe Hardiness:

Garden Uses for Hebe:

Wildlife Benefits of Hebe:

Grown Locally By Us.

Hebe Care at a Glance:

How to Plant a Hebe:

Watering & Feeding Hebe:

Pruning Advice for Hebe:

Winter Protection Tips for Hebe:

Potential Hebe Pests & Diseases:

Varieties We Usually Stock

Acer campestre

Acer campestre 'Elsrijk'

Acer campestre 'Queen Elizabeth'

Acer campestre 'Carnival'

Frequently Asked Questions

Since 1987

Tree Specialists

UK-Grown

Family-Owned

Hebe

As Early Summer Builds, Hebe Starts To Stud Its Neat Evergreen Mounds With Spikes Of Colour That Carry The Garden Right On Into Autumn.

Evergreen Foliage In Manageable Sizes

Hebe at a Glance:

Grown Locally By Us.

Hebe Care at a Glance:

Varieties We Usually Stock

Acer campestre

Acer campestre 'Elsrijk'

Acer campestre 'Queen Elizabeth'

Acer campestre 'Carnival'

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hebe suitable for small gardens or front gardens?

How big do Hebes get in a UK garden?

Can I grow Hebe in a pot on a patio or balcony?

How hardy are Hebes in the UK, and do they need winter protection?

Since 1987

Tree Specialists

UK-Grown

Family-Owned