Hebes
What are they?
The hebes are a diverse group of evergreen, shrubby plants that originate mostly from New Zealand where they form a major part of the native flora. Plants vary from tiny alpines with scale-like, overlapping leaves, to large, spreading bushes that may grow to 3m or so in height. For a long time, these plants were included in the genus Hebe (and that name is still retained as an English name for them) but more recently, they were placed in Veronica as shrubby members of the speedwell genus.
Where are they found?
As introduced garden plants, hebes could, in theory, be found anywhere that garden debris is left, but many of the ornamental species of gardens do not seem to spread readily and most individuals likely to be found in the wider countryside occur in coastal locations where the milder climate suits them.
Identification
The identification of hebes in general is complicated by the presence of many cultivated varieties that often differ only very slightly from each other and which are sometimes of uncertain parentage. Fortunately, many of these hybrids tend not to occur outside of gardens or are short-lived if not tended. Most plants can be identified by a combination of leaf size and shape, plus flower colour and shape of flower racemes. One feature peculiar to hebes is the presence or absence of a sinus at the base of the young leaves. This is a small gap, created at the base of the leaf pairs by the narrowing of the leaf blade into the leaf stalk.
Hedge Veronica Veronica x franciscana
A non-native plant, having originated in cultivation and grown as a garden ornamental. Commonly planted in gardens and used for hedging in coastal areas. Commonly self seeds and may be found as young seedlings in coastal towns. Flowers June to October or later. A spreading bush to 1.5m in height. Flowers deep blue-purple, in short, oblong racemes. Leaves 3-7cm long and 1.6-3.5cm across, thick and leathery. A hybrid between V. elliptica and V. speciosa.
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Koromiko Veronica salicifolia
Introduced from New Zealand as a garden ornamental. Commonly planted in gardens and sometimes found in amenity areas, churchyards and similar places. Flowers June to October. A large, spreading bush to 2m in height. Flowers usually white, but sometimes lilac-tinted, in long, tubular racemes. Leaves rather variable due to horticultural selection but mostly 7-12cm long and 1.5-1.8cm across and typically with a few, small, marginal teeth.
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Lewis's Hebe Veronica x lewisii
A non-native plant, having originated in cultivation and grown as a garden ornamental. Old plants are known from cliffs and a churchyard in Suffolk but this hybrid seems no longer to be in cultivation. Flowers June to October or later. A spreading bush to 3m in height. Flowers white (or opening pale lilac then fading to white), in short, oblong racemes. Leaves 5-10cm long and 1.6-2.5cm across, intermediate between those of the parents. A hybrid between V. elliptica and V. salicifolia.
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Hooker's Hebe Veronica brachysiphon
Introduced from New Zealand as a garden ornamental. Common in cultivation and recorded as sef-seeded in Norfolk and Cambridgeshire. Flowers June to August. A compact bush to 1m in height. Flowers white, in short, oblong racemes. Leaves small, 2-3cm long and 0.5-0.7cm across.
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