Portlanders have a love-hate relationship with Hebes. We are lured in by flashy evergreen leaves and pretty summer flowers, we think they're wonderful when our winters are mild - then we get the occasional cold snap and (some of them) die. We're sad and angry and we vow never to plant another Hebe...then we fall in love again.
The thing is that some Hebes are perfectly hardy in Portland. The key is to know which ones are reliable and which ones are not, so if you choose to take a chance on a more tender Hebe, you do it with open eyes, knowing it may end in tears, but ready to enjoy the time you have together.
Generally speaking, the smaller the leaf, the hardier the Hebe; the more impressive the flowers, the more tender. These are not a hard and fast rules, so always read labels.
We feature Hebes that are hardy in USDA Zone 7 to be reliably hardy in Portland. Here are some of our favorites: (Please note that our Hebe selection is always changing throughout the year. To see if a particular Hebe is in stock, please call either of our two locations.)
Lavender flowers in July-August.
New leaves are purple and turn blue-green with purple stems.
Grows 2' x 2'.
If you want purple flowers combined with hardiness, this is the Hebe for you.
Violet purple flowers spikes bloom in summer and fall. Cute round leaves are green with a red edge.
Grows 12-18" x 18-24".
Bright green leaves are scaly and have a ferny or coniferous appearance.
White flowers in summer are on old wood and can be hidden by leaves, but we this Hebe is all about the foliage, so it's okay.
Grows wider than tall, 2' x 3'.
This is easily our most popular Hebe and justly so. Short pink flower spikes appear in summer. New leaves are purple maturing to dark green with a purple reverse.
It's tidy habit is low and dense, making it great for growing in containers or for the edge of a sunny border.
Grows 12" x 24".
Pale lilac flowers in summer, blue-green leaves are edged red.
Grows 18" x 24".
People are often surprised to discover that this Hebe is not a conifer. The cool ochre yellow leaves are scaly and look a lot like a thread-branch cypress, so the confusion is understandable. White flowers appear sporadically in summer.
'James Stirling' grows in an upright anvil or vase shape to about 2' x 2'.
Tiny frosty blue leaves, black stems and lavender flowers.
Grows 12" x 24".
Cute round frosty blue leaves, white flowers and low ground cover shape.
Grows 9" x 36".
Portland's USDA hardiness zone is Zone 8B, which means that temps don't usually go below 15F (of course we know it does get colder sometimes, but not often). Many of our winters are warmer, and in those years, tender Hebes typically survive and even look great while doing it! For best success, plant tender Hebes in spring or early summer so they can get established well before threatening cold, make sure to keep them watered during dry spells in winter (and summer too), and cross your fingers for a warm winter.
Because they're so temperamental, we focus on tender Hebes that have exquisite foliage or flowers. Here are some of our favorites:
Amy is a heartbreaker. Big spikes of vibrant purple flowers and large oblong glossy leaves with purple new growth lure you in.
In mild winters it looks great, but our colder winters cause damage to the outer edges (if it's not killed all together).
The damaged part has to be cut back so while it may reach the 4'x4' that the labels predict, it will not stay there consistently.
Spikes of lavender-blue flowers in late summer-fall. Oblong large green leaves and maroon stems.
Grows 18-24" x 24-36".
Flowers open to saturated pinkish-purple and fade to white. Narrow new leaves are magenta pink and turn gray-green with a white edge. The overall look is of muted silvery tones and it's wonderful!
Grows 2' x 2'.
Lavender flowers, narrow green leaves, burgundy stems. Leaves are neat and tidy and flowers are prolific in late summer.
Grows 2' x 2'.
This plant is all about the leaves. Narrow green and gold leaves are brushed with purple toward the tips on burgundy stems. Small clusters of lavender flowers highlight the leaves late in summer.
Grows 2' x 2'.
March-October
Best selection is April-June
Family: Scrophulariaceae (figwort or foxglove family)
Genus: Hebe
Origin: New Zealand
Success with Hebes: To be happy with Hebes, provide them with a few important things. They need:
Drainage in the soil can't be overstated. Hebes are far more likely to suffer in our heavy clay soils, especially in waterlogged winters.
Pruning: Prune after bloom by cutting back branches that bloomed by half to maintain compact form, as they bloom on new growth. Also a good thinning every couple years keeps Hebe in good shape. They can be rejuvenated by cutting back severely, as they will sprout from old, leafless wood as long as not all the green growth is removed.
Read up on some of our favorite shrubs and remember, this is only a smattering of the variety of shrubs we carry all year long! Note: Viewing a Native Plant will take you into our Native Plant section.
