Hebe Veronica speciosa
Hebe (Veronica speciosa) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Plantaginaceae family, native to New Zealand. It grows 80 cm–1.5 m (31 in–4.9 ft) tall and 80 cm–1.5 m (31 in–4.9 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -4 °C (25 °F). Space plants about 1 m (3.3 ft) apart.
Plan Hebe in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Hebe at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Plantaginaceae |
| Mature height | 80 cm–1.5 m (31 in–4.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 80 cm–1.5 m (31 in–4.9 ft) |
| Spacing | 1 m (3.3 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 6–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -4 °C (25 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | from about July for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | High |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | New Zealand |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇳🇿 New Zealand |
Is Hebe toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported; RHS lists hebes as having no known harmful effects.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Hebe
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
See Hebe in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley (4 plants)
- Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden (8 plants)
- Kew: glasshouses and rock garden (3 plants)
Questions about Hebe
- How far apart should I plant Hebe?
- About 1 m (3.3 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 80 cm–1.5 m (31 in–4.9 ft).
- Does Hebe need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Hebe need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Hebe?
- It tolerates about -4 °C (25 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Hebe flower?
- From about July for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Hebe poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported; RHS lists hebes as having no known harmful effects.
- What grows well with Hebe?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Hebe. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- Values are for the large-leaved, tender Hebe speciosa group; small-leaved hebes are much hardier (to about -15 C). Salt and wind tolerant.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Foxglove Digitalis purpurea
- Snapdragon Antirrhinum majus
- Penstemon (beardtongue) Penstemon digitalis
- Fairy foxglove Erinus alpinus
- Parry's penstemon Penstemon parryi
- Rice paddy herb (ngò om) Limnophila aromatica
- Angelonia (summer snapdragon) Angelonia angustifolia
- Spiked speedwell Veronica spicata