Hebe 'First Light'

A low, spreading, evergreen shrub that grows to 30cm high and 90cm wide.

Spikes of soft pink flowers bloom throughout summer with green-grey foliage attractively bronzed when young.

Grows well in poor to moderately fertile, well-draining soil (preferably neutral to alkaline). Prefer full sun to partial shade. Will tolerate coastal sites and frost.

Always choose healthy, well grown plants and plant after autumn rains. On heavy soils, raise the level of beds and borders with extra topsoil and coarse pumice sand. Before planting, ensure the root ball is saturated and remove the planter pot with minimal root disturbance. Trim any broken roots and plant at the same level as in the container. Dig a hole twice the diameter of the root ball, press in and water once planted. Make sure plants are watered well until established if planting in a drier period. Plant with some general slow-release fertiliser and then every spring, apply organic fertiliser at a handful per square metre (e.g. blood and bone). Planting too closely leads to spindly growth, poor flowering and eventual decline. In a well-planned border, flowering plants should just touch each other to create a full effect without overcrowding. Plant approximately 90cm apart.

Apply mulch annually to suppress weeds and conserve moisture. Feed in spring with a balanced fertiliser such as blood and bone at a handful per square metre. Prune off any old flowers after flowering and trim to maintain shape if required. Most hebes benefit from a trim, as this helps them stay compact. They can be pruned relatively hard (down to a third) if they have got too large and leggy.

Attracts beneficial insects to the garden.

Free of pests and diseases as it was bred specifically for Auckland conditions.

Native Plant Ideas

This hebe was raised by Jack Hobbs at the Auckland Botanic Gardens and named after the Millennium.