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HEBE GUIDES

hebe shrub with purple flowers growing outside in a container

Common ProblemsContainer GrowingPropagationPruningVarieties

Hebes are a genus of evergreen bush that bloom during the warm months .

Hebes originate from New Zealand and other parts of the southerly hemisphere and are well suitable to container growing in the UK climate.1Hebe and Related Genera . ( n.d . ) . NZETC . Retrieved March 16 , 2023 , fromhttps://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-DawFore-t1-body-d9-d4-d4.html

potted hebe shrubs with green leaves growing on a shelf

broadly speaking grown for their white-hot , pink or purple bloom , some form have attractive foliage and being evergreen plant , can provide some ornamental winter interest and structure to the garden .

Can You Grow Hebe In Pots?

Hebe specialist Charlie Bewley from Hic Bibi Wholesale Nurseries says that as long as Hebe are get in costless - draining soil in a sheltered attitude with lots of sun , they can be grown in green goddess .

Hebes are useable in a wide array of size , from small-scale dwarf bush that are ideal for growing in a container or pot to expectant varieties , that are more suitable for the back of a layer or a mete .

“ Smaller leaf miscellanea tend to be hardier , ” Charlie explains .

white and purple flowering hebes with variegated foliage growing in blue pots

Choosing Hebe Containers

When choose a container to originate Hebe in , it is preponderant that magnanimous drainage hole are present as they favour moist , but well - drain soil and fight if get in wet or waterlogged dirt .

When it comes to the size of the container , I would notify you to opt a pot that is a minimum 30 cm diam to ensure that it will be tumid enough to reconcile the plant ’s mature size and solution system of rules accordingly .

Containers are now made from many dissimilar materials and will not have much of a bearing on a hebes growing .

hebe plant covered in water droplets growing outside

However , it can be advisable to choose a material that would not be damaged by being leave out over the winter .

Sourcing Compost

Hebes require a free draining filth to avoid their roots becoming too wet , especially during the colder months .

When choosing soil for planting out hebes in container , you should use either a peat - free multi - purpose compost or aloam - based mixwith plenty of horticultural grit add to improve the drainage .

Potting Up Hebes

When potting up a hebe , a thin layer of crushed rock can be add to the bottom of the container to help with drain , before half fulfil with your chosen compost or soil .

Once the container is half fill up with compost , place the plant at the same deepness it was antecedently planted at and backfill with soil , mildly firm in as you go .

weewee well on planting to help the soil settle and to eliminate any aviation gaps around the roots .

hebe shrub with green and purple variegated foliage growing in a container outdoors

Pots and containers can be target upon feet , which will raise your bush above the ground and let any supererogatory water to drain away freely .

Hebe tend to be farm individually in pots , as not only can they grow quite turgid , but for esthetic reasons as well .

However , some of the smallest dwarf varieties can be planted together , but only in a great container or long trough where they will have enough room to grow and not herd each other out .

potted hebe shrub in a square container with purple flowers growing outdoors

Ongoing Potted Hebe Care

right lacrimation of Hebes is a primal part of their care , especially as they are getting install and favor to be grown in a moist soil .

They will struggle if overwatered or allowed to dry out out altogether .

When it get along to watering hebes in container during the growing season , I would commend you wait until the top 3 - 5 cm of soil has dry out out before watering again .

“ It is crucial that Hebes have a large enough bay window to permit the compost   to retain moisture during the height of summertime , ” say Colin Skelly , a Horticultural Consultant .

“ During hot spells , check the grime wet daily . A drip irrigation system , ideally with a moisture sensor , make an effective option and a big welfare if you design to be away . ”

Be aware that any pot - grow Hebe will expect more frequent lachrymation compared to those grow directly in the reason .

In winter , hebes do not postulate as much moisture , as lactating and dusty soil can lead to their roots rot .

As the temperatures overleap , lacrimation can be boil down and containers moved to the protection of a rampart or undercover to ride out the worst of the dusty and wet weather condition .

Hebes are not too hungry shrub and grow best in a grease with poor to intermediate fertility .

However , when maturate in pots or container , Hebe can profit from being given a balanced plant food in fountain to replace any spent nutrients lose during the previous class .

Charlie urge fertilising pot - grown Hebe with seaweed feed , as this can help keep fungous infection at bay .

To promote a foresighted flowering time of year , hebes should be regularly deadheaded as the flowers slicing , which should advance new blooms to spring , count on the variety .

When it comes to clip potted Hebes , they are comparatively low care and only call for a lightsome trimness at the remnant of summer the flowering full stop comes to an end and again in spring to take out any dead or damaged wood after a harsh wintertime .

Even though Hebes are not the longest - live shrub , they can last for several year and at times will ask repotting and their soil refreshed .

In worldwide , Hebes postulate repotting every duet of year or if they have outgrown their current raft , whichever derive sooner .

During the growing season , most Hebe shrub prefer to be fix in full sunshine to partial shadiness and out of any dry out winds .

A south- or west - facing sheltered spot is ideal .

However , some Hebes are hardy than others and it is advisable to tally the bush ’s hardiness rating , which will specify whether the works demand some extra care over the cold months .

It is also beneficial to observe that any hebes grown in containers will be more exposed to the elements as they are less well insulated .

A key welfare of develop hebes in containers is that come wintertime they can easily be moved or given a small more protection , as Charlie explains :

“ If there is a cold snatch in winter , move your Hebe into a glasshouse or cover with a horticultural wool . ”

Alternatively , as the temperature fall or if hoar is betoken , containers can beeither place in a cold frameor moved under the lee of a wall or porch to protect them from the worst .

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