Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
Price range: Contact Us
Rating: 4.8/5

blue hebe shrub

If you’re searching for an easy-care plant that delights with vibrant colour and year-round structure, the blue hebe shrub is a fantastic choice for New Zealand gardens. Blue hebes are small, hardy evergreens valued for their compact growth, lush green foliage, and clusters of blue to violet blooms that last for months. Equally at home in coastal settings, urban gardens, and rural landscapes, these shrubs are a favourite with gardeners wanting reliable colour and low-maintenance beauty.

Hebe 'Red Edge'

Hebe 'Red Edge' is a compact evergreen shrub known for its distinctive foliage with red tinged edges that intensify in cooler weather, adding year round interest to NZ gardens. Small white to pale lilac flowers appear through summer, complementing the colourful leaves. Easy to grow and very hardy, this variety is ideal for borders, rock gardens, and coastal plantings where colour, texture, and structure are desired.

Buy Hebe 'Red Edge'

From $20.18

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Shrubs

Height: 60 cm

Spread: 60 cm

Flowering time: Summer, Autumn

Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wind

Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas

Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native, Rock

Hebe Wiri Image

Hebe Wiri Image features lush and glossy, dark green leaves held on solid, upright stems. Through summer and intermittently through the year it produces showy spikes of bright blue flowers. The combination of flowers and foliage is outstanding as it grows to 1.2 m tall and the same wide. Hebe Wiri Image is commonly added to a mixed planting, used in borders, planted around outdoor living areas, used in cottage gardens, or mass planted for a spectacular display.

Buy Hebe Wiri Image

From $21.53

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Shrubs

Height: 1.20 m

Spread: 1.20 m

Flowering time: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter

Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy

Garden uses: Containers, Living areas, Pool areas

Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Native, Rock

Why Choose a Blue Hebe Shrub?

A blue hebe shrub stands out for its prolonged flowering period, often displaying masses of captivating blooms from late spring into autumn. These New Zealand natives are beloved not only for their ornamental value but also their resilience. Blue hebe shrubs are drought-tolerant once established, thrive in full sun or partial shade, and easily handle wind and salt-laden coastal air. Their dense, evergreen foliage also provides important shelter and food for beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Best Varieties of Blue Hebe Shrub

When planning your garden, having the right blue hebe shrub makes all the difference. Popular varieties include the classic bushy forms with deep blue flowers, as well as hybrids bred for compact shape and exceptional colour. For gardeners interested in expanding their hebe collection, the Hebe Wiri Image is notable for its neat, upright habit and prolific blue flower spikes. The striking Hebe Margret offers another reliable option, with rich purple-blue blooms and a tidy appearance that suits modern and cottage gardens alike. For a touch of multicoloured interest, consider the Hebe Red Edge (Hebe albicans Red Edge) boasting blue flowers with a subtle red leaf margin.

Planting and Care Tips

Plant your blue hebe shrub in well-drained soil and choose a spot with good light to encourage the most vigorous flowering. Although hebes are generally adaptable, they prefer soils that aren’t too rich—making them an ideal choice for New Zealand conditions. Regular pruning after flowering keeps plants compact and encourages fresh growth. Mulch in spring to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Hebes need minimal fertiliser, especially when planted in garden beds.

Creative Garden Uses for Blue Hebe Shrub

Blue hebe shrubs excel as low hedges, ground covers, or feature plants in mixed borders. Their neat habit and continuous colour make them an excellent companion to shade-tolerant shrubs such as Hydrangea Blue Wave, which complements the blue hues of hebes with its own elegant, lacy flowers. Use blue hebe shrubs to anchor garden beds, soften pathways, or create wildlife-friendly planting schemes. For a layered hebe effect, pair them with the silvery Hebe Waireka for contrast.

Where to Buy Blue Hebe Shrubs in New Zealand

Ready to bring long-lasting colour to your garden? Our nursery specialises in top-quality blue hebe shrub varieties selected for their reliability in New Zealand conditions. Explore our full range, including specialty hebes such as Hebe Margret and Hebe Wiri Image, and discover how easy it is to enrich your garden year-round with beautiful, fuss-free hebes.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.