Hebe speciosa

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Plant
ID 115 Hebe speciosa
Botanic Name Hebe speciosa
Common Name Showy Hebe, Napuka
Family Name Scrophulariaceae
Cultivars 'La Seduisante', 'Variegata'
Origin New Zealand, Zone 9-10
Growth Type Shrub
Bark Type Woody
Foliage Type Evergreen Water Use Low
No. of Species 100
Growth Habit Low Bun Shape Growth Rate Medium
Height 1 - 1.5 m (3 - 5 ft) Spread 2 m (7 ft)
Plant Overview
This shrub has upright spreading grey brown stems that form a compact to open rounded habit. It has large, glossy green elliptical leaves and the tube-shaped violet-purple flowers appear in a upright raceme from late spring to summer.
Leaf
Type Simple Additional Information
Shape Elliptical
The leaves are elliptical to narrow obovate, up to 30 mm wide by 80 mm (3 in) long. The upper surface is glossy green the very reddish mid rib and the underside is pale green. When young, the leaf is purplish red and has an acute apex, short petiole.
Arrangement Decussate
Margin Entire
Colour Glossy dark green
Size 60 - 80 mm ( 2.4 - 3.1 in )
Flower
Perfume Odorless Additional Information
Shape Tubulate
The violet purple tubulate flowers have 4 perianth segments and are arranged in an axillary raceme that is up to 70 mm (2 2/3 in) long and appear appearing from late spring to summer.
Inflorescence Raceme
Colour Mauve - Purple
Size 4 - 6 mm ( 0.2 - 0.2 in )
Flowering in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Fruit
Type Capsule Additional Information
Colour Brown
The small fruit is a 2 locular capsule that is not commonly seen and the plant is normally reproduced vegetatively.
Edible No
Bird Attractive No
Size 4 - 6 mm ( 0.2 - 0.2 in )
Fruiting in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Environment & Cultivation
Natural Soil Well drained, sandy to clay loam, organic rich, moist, pH 7.0-8.5
Container Tubs, pots and roof gardens
Climate Warm temperate
Aspect Full sun to semi-shade, open position, tolerates salt wind, light frost
Pest & Diseases Root rot, leaf spot, downy mildew, aphids fusarium wilt, powdery mildew
Fertiliser Mulch and keep moist during summer, liquid fertilise potted plants monthly
Pruning Light trim after flowering to thicken, maintain foliage cover and avoid cutting old wood
Cultural Uses Propagation
The Showy Hebe is grown for its flowers, glossy foliage and its rounded bushy habit. It is planted in parks and gardens along borders as a filler pant or as a specimen in a seaside garden. It is also grown in large pots and tubs.
Sow fresh seeds during autumn and place in a protected environment to germinate. Seedling variation occurs regularly and seeds are prone to fungal attack. Take semi-hardwood cuttings of non-flowering shoots from late summer.
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