Hebe 'Wiri Image'

A compact, bushy, evergreen shrub that grows to 1m tall and 0.7m wide.

This hebe tends to have a extended flowering period producing masses of spikes of violet flowers which fade with age through summer and then intermittently throughout the year. The leaves are dark green glossy and spear-shaped.

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 1m 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.

TBC

This hebe was bred at Auckland Botanic Gardens.