Hebe franciscana Blue Gem

Hebe franciscana 'Blue Gem' is a particularly vigorous variety of Shrubby Veronica, forming a bush with evergreen foliage reminiscent of boxwood in 4 to 5 years. Its long flowering period lasts from summer to first frost; its large flower spikes are a deep dark purple-blue, giving it a real presence in sunny borders or in a large pot on the terrace. This very beautiful variety is also frost-tender but undemanding, perfectly suited to coastal areas and Mediterranean climates as it tolerates dry and poor soils once established.

Hebe franciscana 'Blue Gem' belongs to the Plantaginaceae family, like its perennial veronica cousins. This plant is a horticultural hybrid resulting from H.elliptica and H. speciosa, two botanical species native to New Zealand. 'Blue Gem' is a large, well-branched shrubby perennial plant with a bushy and rounded habit, slightly loose, reaching 1.2 to 1.5 meters (4 to 5 ft) in all directions. Its stems, which lignify with age, bear large elliptical leaves, 8 to 10 cm (3 to 4 in) long, thick and leathery, of a shiny dark green colour. Flowering begins in June and ends in October, in the form of simple lateral inflorescences resembling long thin bottlebrushes of 8 cm (3 in). Each cluster has a powdery appearance due to the long stamens that protrude from a multitude of small deep purple-blue flowers. Pruning after flowering is essential to maintain a compact habit and a neat appearance to this shrubby veronica.

With relatively slow growth and hardiness (but down to -10°C (14 °F) nonetheless), Hebes are generallygrouped with perennial plants as their use is closer to these than to shrubs. The 'Blue Gem' variety, on the other hand, has sufficient development to be included, in mild climates, among other flowering shrubs. Its summer blooms go well with buddleias in a mix of colours, as does their sometimes silver-tinged foliage. In a coastal garden, it can be combined e.g. with Escallonia, Myrtus, Oleanders, Evergreen Ceanothus, Callistemons or even with mimosas. Elsewhere, Hebes can be grown in large pots on the terrace, to be stored in a bright, unheated room during winter.