Prune hebes as soon as the flowers have faded. This leaves plenty of time for the new growth to mature before cold weather hits. Using secateurs, remove the dead flower heads and cut the foliage back by up to a third.
How do you prune a Hebe plant?
Cut back back dead flowers and up to a third of foliage in late summer, after flowering, to encourage strong new growth and a good bushy shape. Annual pruning will extend the life of your hebe, too.
How do you revive a Hebe?
Dead-heading of old flowers on Hebe plants is well worth the effort. It can extend the flowering period, or encourage a further show of flowers later in the year. If your particular plant becomes straggly, then cutting back hard – to within 30cm of the ground – will rejuvenate it.
How do you care for a Hebes plant?
Generally they flower best in full sun but many will grow very well in part shade, albeit with a few less flowers. Hebes grow best in moist well-drained soil. Keep young plants well watered until established, especially over the summer months.
Can Hebe tricolor be pruned?
There are different types of Hebe and pruning depends on whether the plant is of the smaller-leaved variety or the larger-leaved one. The Hebe Tricolor is not as hardy as the other types and usually requires quite a severe pruning especially after a hard winter.
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Can Hebes be pruned back hard?
Hebes generally need little pruning, but if they get leggy they can be cut back hard to reshape them (this is also worth a go if flower production is poor). The best time to prune them is when the winter starts to lose its grip, but before new growth appears in spring.
How far back can you cut Hebes?
Cut back back dead flowers and up to a third of foliage in late summer, after flowering, to encourage strong new growth and a good bushy shape. Annual pruning will extend the life of your hebe, too.
What month do you prune Hebes?
As with the vast majority of flowering evergreen shrubs, Hebe shrubs should be pruned in the growing season - or right at the end of the winter dormancy period. They should not be pruned in late Autumn - nor winter months. When pruned well - and sparingly - these shrubby Veronicas can enhance any garden - or container.
Why is my hebe leggy?
Use the checklist below to decide if a Hebe is the correct plant for you and your garden: They prefer full sun throughout the year but will also grow very well in semi-shade. In very low light conditions the plant will become leggy and may not produce flowers.
How do you prune hebe shrubs?
Immediately after they have finished flowering simply cut out the dead hebe flowers. After a harsh winter some stems may have been burnt by frost. Inspect your hebe at the end of March and prune away any damaged stems, cutting back to a live bud.
Can hebe be shaped?
A good rule of thumb when pruning your hebe is to cut back about a third of the length of the foliage branches. After that, have a good look between the inner branches of the hebe and cut all the branches that grow "against the flow".
Why does my hebe not flower?
The reason for hebes not flowering is often because of pruning at the wrong time of year. If hebes are pruned in the Spring you remove the growth on which the hebes display their flowers. Hebes do not flower unless they are in full sun and well draining soil.
Should you deadhead hebes?
Hebe. Hebes will need some deadheading to lengthen flowering time and improve their appearance. Cut back spent blooms to the base of the flower.
Can you trim seed heads to grow again?
A simple solution requires occasional trimming for new growths to emerge again quickly – especially following a period of abundant blooming that might lead these plants into going completely overgrown. Allowing any seed heads to develop can actually slow down the growth of the plant.
Can you cut back Hebe Tricolor shrubs?
Hebe Tricolor shrubs are among some of the less hardy types of Hebes. After a harsh winter, they will probably need to be cut back quite severely.
Can you cut back Hebe flowers?
The larger-leaved types, however, can be prone to damaged stems and these should always be cut back at any time during the growing season. Deadheading old flowers on Hebe plants is well worth the effort as it could extend the flowering period for your particular plant or encourage further flowering later in the year.
Do you prune Hebe Midsummer Beauty?
Hebe Midsummer Beauty and other long leaved Hebes generally require no pruning unless damaged over winter but can become top-heavy with bare stems at the bottom of the bush. To increase branching from old branches near the base up to new growth in higher regions, cut back a few older stems as low down as possible on your shrubs.
How to keep hebes from blooming?
A light, annual pruning will keep the neat, compact shape of hebes and ensure that they flower well. Immediately after they have finished flowering simply cut out the dead flowers. After a harsh winter some stems may have been burnt by frost.
What is a low hedge of Hebe?
Low hedges of hebe are often used as a windbreak in exposed coastal gardens and the same planting could be used to protect and enclose herbaceous plantings in inland gardens. Some of the newer introductions have been specifically bred for pots and containers and for small, urban gardens.
What color are Hebe leaves?
A hebe that is a truly spectacular sight during the winter when the narrow, lance-shaped leaves turn a vibrant burgundy colour. During the summer the foliage is apple-green and the flowers are a delicate pale blue. 50cm. AGM*. RHS H4†.
How many cuttings to put in a 9cm pot?
A 9cm pot will take three or four cuttings. Prepare the cuttings by shortening them to about 10-15cm long, cutting just below the point where a set of leaves is growing. Remove the lower leaves and snip off the tip of the cutting. Push the cutting into the compost, close to the edge of the pot.
What does too rich soil do to Hebes?
Too rich a soil will encourage weak, lax growth that will be susceptible to frost damage. If you have heavy soil, digging lots of horticultural grit into the area before you plant will increase the likelihood of your hebe thriving. Hebes do not like cold wind, so try to plant them in a sheltered area. 1 of 9.
How to store cuttings in greenhouse?
If you have a greenhouse or cold frame, store the cuttings there, otherwise cover the pot and cuttings with a plastic bag in a light, warm place away from direct sunlight. Regularly remove the bag to reduce the humidity around the cuttings.
When do sage plants turn white?
A large and floriferous shrub with glossy, green foliage that is covered with soft-pink flowers from July through to October. The flowers fade almost to white as they age. 1.2m. RHS H3.
How to keep hebes from becoming leggy?
Regular pruning prevents the Hebe from becoming leggy with exposed bottom branches and top heavy foliage. A hard cutting back on a Hebe which has not been regularly pruned may be enough to kill the plant. Any hard pruning should be done in stages as the plant grows and each time it is a good idea to cut away only a third, ...
What is the best way to disinfect pruning tools?
A bleach and water solution can be helpful for disinfecting pruning tools. Hebe is a genus of hardy bushes that does not require a great deal of care.
Can hebes survive without pruning?
Some Hebes are grown mainly for their foliage and these plants usually not only survive but flourish with regular pruning, particularly if they have been neglected. Pruning Hebe grown for flowers should normally only be done if there is dead, diseased or weather-damaged growth.
Can Hebe be woody?
Some Hebe can become woody underneath a lush top growth so while they may look good for a while, the problem will soon become apparent . There are different types of Hebe and pruning depends on whether the plant is of the smaller-leaved variety or the larger-leaved one.
How to grow Hebes in a pot?
As hebes do best in poor soil, there’s no need to add organic matter, so simply place the rootball in the hole, ensuring it’s at the same depth it was growing in the pot. Replace soil around the rootball and firm around the plant gently. Water well.
What is a hebe?
Hebes are excellent in shrub borders, and used as ground cover or low-growing hedging, and are relatively low-maintenance. Hebes flower over a long period – all year round in mild regions – with flower colours including pink, blue and white. They can be an important late source of nectar and pollen for bumblebees.
Where are hebes native to?
By BBC Gardeners' World Magazine. Hebes are popular evergreen shrubs, mostly native to New Zealand although some are native to Australia and South America. They come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes and are suitable for growing in a range of sites and planting schemes. Hebes are excellent in shrub borders, ...
Can Hebes grow in an exposed spot?
Take care when choosing your hebe to make sure you can provide it with the conditions it needs – there’s no point buying a tender hebe if you intend to grow it in an exposed spot.
Can hebes be grown in pots?
Larger cultivars can be grown at the back of a border while smaller varieties can be grown towards the front, or in pots. Hebes work well with a range of other plants, including catmint and Japanese anemones (pictured), along with cranesbill geraniums, penstemons and other herbacesous perennials.
Is Hebe hardier than other plants?
Some hebes are hardier than others – as a general rule, the larger leaved varieties are more tender than the smaller leaved varieties. They’re tolerant of salt and can therefore be grown in coastal situations. Choose a sheltered spot for your hebe, such as in front of a south- or west-facing wall.
Do Hebes need rich soil?
Most hebes thrive in moist but well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade, ideally in a sheltered spot protected from winds. They don’t need rich soils and will tolerate drought. Deadhead spent blooms to improve the look of your hebe and keep it flowering for longer.
How to keep hebes looking good?
Hebes can be short-lived garden plants, but in a sunny position in moist, well-drained soil they will stay healthy for longer. Regular pruning will keep them looking tidy for many years, and will encourage an abundance of bee-attracting flowers. Prune hebes as soon as the flowers have faded.
How to revive a leggy flower?
If your plant has become ‘leggy’ and tired, you can often rejuvenate it by cutting it back hard. This is best done in spring, when it has more time to recover before winter.
Can you trim Hebes with clippers?
Some hebes have a naturally neat, rounded habit and you can get away with pruning them with hedge clippers. It is still a good idea to provide a good thinning now and then, making deeper cuts to remove some older branches, promoting healthy new growth from inside the base of the plant.
What is a Hebe shrub?
Hebes are a true gem in the garden. This interesting evergreen shrub, which was named after the Greek goddess of youth, includes numerous species, so you’re sure to find one that will suit your needs. Hebe shrubs are also extremely versatile, easily thriving in many conditions and just as easy to maintain.
How big do Hebe shrubs get?
Majority of hebe shrubs are native to New Zealand and range in size from around 3 feet tall to large tree-like varieties over 6 foot.
When do Hebes bloom?
Most hebes bloom in summer and last throughout autumn, some even flower in winter too.
Can Hebes be grown in containers?
Growing hebes is really easy! They can be used as edging, grown in containers or rock gardens. They are most suited to areas that experience cool summers and mild winters and can adapt to range of soils but perform best if the soil is well-draining.
What does hebe look like?
Hebe is an evergreen shrub that varies depending on the species or variety. There are some that look like small conifers and have tiny, scale-like leaves. Most are mid-range shrubs with glossy dark-green foliage. There are forms that have variegated leaves with creamy margins and also some with pink-tinged foliage.
How tall is Hebe?
What you need to know about hebe. Name: hebe, Hebe species and varieties. Height: from small, tight shrubs of less than 0.5m to very large shrubs of 3m+. Foliage: evergreen, glossy, dark green. Varieties with variegation and grey- and pink-tinged foliage are available. Climate: prefers cold temperate, warm temperate, ...
Can Hebe be planted in full sun?
Hebe does best in full sun, in soil that has been enriched with some garden compost. The soil should not be waterlogged but should not dry out too quickly. Plant hebe out at any time of the year and follow up with watering until established.
Is Hebe a good plant?
Hebe is generally a pretty reliable plant with few problems. Keep a watch out for scale insects and apply a garden oil if you spot them. In humid areas, mildew on the leaves can sometimes develop. This can be controlled with a fungicide.
What is a Hebe shrub?
Growing hebes. Hebe is New Zealand’s most diverse shrub genus, with nearly a hundred different species occurring across our two islands. They’re also our most extensively bred and cultivated plants, offering a bewildering choice of cultivars.
Where do Hebes live?
Like their native New Zealand landscape, hebes are extremely diverse. Their gene pool extends from the coldest South Island habitats to the warmest parts of the North. So its worth doing some research when choosing a hebe to suit your particular soil and climate.
Can Hebes be planted in containers?
Popular with gardeners who want a small evergreen shrub that flowers over a long season, hebes are also useful as massed ground cover or container containers. Their flowers bring bees and butterflies to the garden and they’re good for picking too. Plant a selection and you could have flowers most of the year.
Can Hebes be grown for their foliage?
Plant a selection and you could have flowers most of the year. Some of the best hebes are grown for their foliage alone. Some make great little hedges. Look for vigorous bushy varieties with small close-packed leaves. For a nice even hedge its best to plant small healthy plants.
