Hebe diosmifolia - Shrubby Veronica

Hebe diosmifolia is a botanical shrub that will charm plant enthusiasts with its natural style. This species, which looks very different from the traditional, somewhat rigid plants sold in pots for All Saints' Day, has a dense and spreading habit, slightly languid, and fine, dark green foliage which is very elegant. Delicate in appearance, it offers long summer flowering in slender spikes composed of light, white flowers with mauve highlights. This shrub, native to New Zealand, fears heavy frosts and particularly appreciates mild coastal climates. It will find its place in a large rockery or exotic shrub bed. It can also be grown in pots and stored during winter in colder regions.

Hebe diosmifolia belongs to the family Plantaginaceae, like its perennial veronica cousins. This plant is a botanical species native to New Zealand, specifically the North Island, a mountainous region with a predominantly oceanic climate. This shrub has delicate, slender branches that are slightly arched or prostrate, giving it a spreading habit that is wider than it is tall. It grows quite quickly, reaching a height of about 60 cm (24 in) with a diameter of 80 cm (1 ft). The brown branches bear evergreen foliage composed of slender, entire, finely incised, leathery leaves that are 1.2 cm (0.5 in) long. They are arranged regularly, almost on a single plane on the branches. The flowering period is from June to September, or even October depending on the climate. The short, globose flower spikes appear at the ends of the branches. They are composed of small, star-shaped flowers that are white with pale lavender highlights, adorned with protruding stamens. This shrub has a lifespan of about 10 years in well-drained, poor soil.

With relatively slow growth and hardiness down to -10°C, Hebes are generally grouped with perennial plants because their use is more similar to these than to shrubs. The diosmifolia species, on the other hand, has sufficient growth and a natural appearance to be included, in mild climates, among small flowering shrubs. Its foliage pairs well with myrtles and Leptospermum. Its summer flowers complement buddleias, in a mix of colours, as does their foliage, which is sometimes silver-tinged. In a seaside garden it blends in well in a large rockery or on a planted slope. It can be paired with e.g. Escallonias, rosemary, Ceanothus, and creeping conifers, compact tritomas, or even with shrubby salvias. Elsewhere, Hebes can be grown in large pots on the terrace and stored in a bright, unheated space during winter.