Shubby veronicas or Hebe are magnificent bushes for mild climates, much appreciated for their flower spikes in mauve, white, pink, purple or blue and their evergreen foliage. Whether small- or large-leaved, shrubby veronicas require little maintenance, apart from pruning at start of season to help retain a dense habit or limit growth. Discover in our tutorial our tips and tricks for pruning your shrubby veronica.
When to prune shrubby veronica?
Pruning of shrubby veronica is mainly carried out in late winter and very early spring, when garden growth resumes, that is around March and April depending on region.
This spring pruning restores a compact, rounded habit while limiting the bush's development. The plant also becomes denser.
Note: remove flowers as soon as they have faded to stimulate production of new flowers and young shoots.
How to prune shrubby veronica?
Pruning steps
1- Using your pruning shear or lopper, start by removing dead or damaged wood.
2- Then prune exuberant branches, as well as all shoots to give a rounded shape to your shrubby veronica. Note that you can prune up to two-thirds of branch length. Beyond that, flowering and good health may be compromised.
After pruning care
- After pruning, you can apply compost or fertiliser to the surface (scratch soil to help it integrate) to encourage your Hebe to produce new branches and new flowers.
- You can also water the plant regularly to aid recovery after pruning.
Equipment: what to prepare?
To prune your bush, you will need a pruning shear or a shear and for large branches do not hesitate to use a lopper. Remember to disinfect tools with alcohol before use to avoid transmitting diseases from one plant to another.
To learn more:
- Discover our range of shrubby veronicas (Hebe)
- To learn all about this lovely bush, find our complete fact sheet on shrubby veronica, Hebe: planting, pruning and care
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