Hebe topiaria Detail (08/09/2012, Kew Garden, London)
Position: Full sun to partial shade
Flowering period: Summer
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 60cm
Eventual Spread: 1cm
Hardiness: 8a – 10a
Family: Plantaginaceae
Hebe topiaria is a low growing compact, evergreen shrub with a hummock shaped growth habit. Its green/ gray leaves are obtuse with entire margins, up to 12mm long and 6mm wide. Its white flowers infrequently appear in short racemes.
Hebe topiaria, commonly known as Topiarist’s Hebe, is native to the Nelson mountains, to the north of the South Island, New Zealand.
The etymological root of the binomial name Hebe is derived from the Greek Goddess of youth. Topiaria is from the Latin meaning ‘of ornamental gardening’, in reference to this plant’s topiarised form.
Hebe topiaria (08/09/2012, Kew Garden, London)
The landscape architect may find Hebe topiaria useful as a low growing evergreen shrub. It may be useful as a low informal hedge. It is suitable for planting in coastal locations and in dappled shade. It is tolerant of some pollution. It should be protected from drying winds.
Ecologically, Hebe topiaria is attractive to pollinating insects.
The Royal Horticultural Society has given E Hebe topiaria their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 2002.
Hebe topiaria prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It prefers a neutral to alkali pH of soil.
Hebe topiaria requires little maintenance.
