Hebe pinguifolia (18/11/2012, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun to light shade
Flowering period: Late spring to early summer
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 45cm
Eventual Spread: 90cm
Hardiness: 7a – 10a
Family: Plantaginaceae
Hebe pinguifolia is an evergreen shrub with a dwarf, spreading habit. Its fleshy blue/ grey leaves are oval with entire margins, concave and up to 17mm long. Its white flowers appear in dense, short spikes.
Hebe pinguifolia, commonly known as Shrubby Veronica, is native to New Zealand.
The etymological root of the binomial name Hebe is derived from the Greek Goddess of youth. Pinguifolia is derived from the Latin pinguis meaning ‘fat’ and folium meaning ‘leaf’.
The landscape architect may find Hebe pinguifolia useful as an effective evergreen ground cover shrub. It will tolerate maritime conditions. It also tolerates atmospheric pollution.
Ecologically, Hebe pinguifolia flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.
Hebe pinguifolia Leaf (18/11/2012, Kew Gardens, London)
The Royal Horticultural Society has given the variety Hebe pinguifolia ‘Pagei’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.
Hebe pinguifolia prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It prefers a neutral to alkali pH of soil.
Hebe pinguifolia requires little maintenance.
