"Kiwi" Series Hebe

clarification: not kiwi fruit

Hebe is a section within Veronica (plant type) native to New Zealand. Hebe has very different looking leaves from regular Veronica, and unlike normal Veronica, is evergreen. Hebe has small short stalks of flowers.

We would expect Hebe to probably do very well in the Pacific Northwest climate, except it will probably do better in a spot with afternoon shade in the hot summer. (Unless it's in an area right along the coast that's very overcast in the summer)

Looks like the 'Kiwi' series (from Denmark of all places!) are a pretty new introduction (2025), so unlikely to have a long track record here. What is interesting is their reported cold tolerance of 23F. Typically, larger leaved hebes - which these are - are more frost sensitive than small leaved or whipcord hebes.

Nice looking plants. And specially at that price!

Thanks Pam - Yep, I've tried many of the larger leaved ones over the years and they mostly died back, but usually didn't die completely. This one was so inexpensive I grabbed it even though my inner gardener said "that thing isn't hardy!". I planted it in the garden already, we will find out how hardy it is! Last winter the lowest was 22F and only for a couple of hours.

I find it strange that a plant bred in Denmark would have a cold tolerance of only 23F.

(given that temperatures going down to 15°F to 18°F are not unusual)

So I suspect the cold rating must actually be lower than that.

Where a plant was developed/bred doesn't have anything to do with its cold tolerance. That depends on genetics, not location. One could assume some gene maniplation to increase hardiness was involved.

Even here where Hebes are perfectly hardy they are not very long lived. My Nicola's Blush, for example petered out after about 8 years. They do not like wet soil and they prefer it neutral to alkaline. They are also not keen on hard pruning. Clipping over suits them best. I don't know what this one is but I took it two years ago. I liked the combination with the autumn leaves.

This one is Nicola's Blush, now sadly deceased.

Btw traditionally Hebes are evergreen shrubs whereas Veronicas are herbaceous but now they all come under Veronica.

ETA cuttings are easy. Nicola now has a descendent but it's not very large or floriferous yet.