The variegated Hebe is an attractive evergreen shrub valued for its year-round foliage color and easy cultivation. This plant is a specific type of Hebe, a genus native primarily to New Zealand. Often referred to as Shrubby Veronica, the variegated cultivars feature leaves typically marked with irregular creamy-white or yellow margins against a green center. The appeal of this broadleaf evergreen lies in its compact, mounded shape and the spikes of flowers that often appear in shades of violet, pink, or white during the summer and autumn. Its ability to provide consistent color and structure makes it a popular choice for borders, containers, and coastal gardens.
Essential Environmental Needs and Planting
Variegated Hebe thrives best in full sun, though it can tolerate partial shade, especially in areas experiencing intense summer heat. Direct sunlight significantly intensifies the creamy-white or yellow pigmentation in the variegated foliage, yielding the most vibrant color. If the plant receives too much shade, the variegation may become muted, and growth can become lanky.
The most important soil requirement is excellent drainage, as Hebe plants are highly susceptible to root rot if they sit in overly wet conditions. Heavy clay soil must be amended to prevent waterlogging. Incorporating materials like coarse grit, horticultural sand, or well-rotted compost into the planting area will improve permeability and aeration. Hebe prefers a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH, though some varieties tolerate moderately alkaline conditions.
When planting, dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper, ensuring the top of the root ball sits level with the surrounding soil. Tease the roots gently before placing the plant, backfilling the hole with the amended soil, and firming it lightly to remove air pockets. Spacing multiple shrubs about three feet apart allows for adequate air circulation, which helps deter fungal issues.
Routine Watering and Feeding Schedule
Watering
Watering frequency changes as the Variegated Hebe matures and becomes established. Newly planted shrubs require consistent moisture during their first growing season to encourage root development. This means watering regularly, often once or twice a week, depending on the weather conditions.
Once the Hebe is well-established, it becomes tolerant of dry periods, needing supplemental water only during prolonged droughts or extremely warm weather. Water deeply and infrequently, soaking the soil completely and then allowing the top few inches to dry out before watering again. Plants grown in containers require more frequent attention because the confined soil volume dries out much faster than garden beds.
Feeding
Variegated Hebe has modest nutritional requirements and does not require heavy fertilization. Over-feeding can promote excessive, soft, green growth that may weaken the plant and reduce the intensity of the variegated coloring. An annual application of a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer in early spring, as new growth begins, is typically sufficient. Alternatively, a light dressing of an organic amendment like blood, fish, and bone can be worked into the soil surface around the plant base.
Pruning, Shaping, and Winter Protection
Pruning and Shaping
The Variegated Hebe is a low-maintenance shrub that requires minimal pruning to maintain an attractive shape. The best time to prune is immediately after the flowering period ends, typically in late summer or early autumn. This light trimming helps the shrub retain its dense, mounded form and encourages fresh, compact growth.
Pruning should involve lightly clipping the tips of the stems. Avoid cutting back into older, woody stems, as Hebes fail to re-sprout from this older wood. A unique maintenance task is the removal of any all-green shoots, known as reversions, which can eventually overtake the colorful foliage if not promptly addressed. Deadheading spent flower spikes immediately after they fade will keep the plant tidy and may promote a subsequent flush of blooms.
Winter Protection and Pest Management
While Hebe is generally hardy in USDA Zones 7 through 11, variegated varieties are slightly less cold-tolerant and may require protection in colder climates. In areas prone to heavy frost, the plant benefits from a thick layer of organic mulch, such as wood chips, applied around the base to insulate the roots. Keep this mulch a few inches away from the main stem to prevent moisture buildup and potential rot.
Exposure to harsh winter wind and sun can cause desiccation and browning on the evergreen leaves. Providing a windbreak or temporarily wrapping the shrub with burlap or a specialized frost cloth can prevent this damage in exposed locations. Fungal issues, such as leaf spot and downy mildew, can occur in humid or overly wet conditions. Ensuring good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering helps prevent these problems, while common pests like aphids and spider mites can be managed with horticultural oil.