Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
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different types of hebe plants

If you’re looking to add vibrant colour and easy-care beauty to your garden, exploring the different types of hebe plants is a perfect place to start. Hebes are a staple of New Zealand landscapes, valued for their year-round foliage, abundant flowers, and wildlife-friendly qualities. With over 90 native species and dozens of cultivated varieties, hebes thrive in a diverse range of settings—from coastal gardens to alpine rockeries. Whether you favour bold blooms, striking leaf colour, or compact growth, there’s a hebe plant to suit every garden style.

Hebe Catherine

Hebe Catherine is an exquisite variety due to its impressive foliage and flowers. Masses of purple-pink flower spikes are produced from summer through autumn. These are complemented with glossy, green foliage which emerges with purple-dark red tones. This evergreen shrub grows compactly to about 75 cm tall and the same wide. Hebe Catherine looks most effective when planted in clusters and is commonly included in a mixed planting, used in borders, planted around outdoor living areas, maintained in a container, or added to a cottage garden.

Buy Hebe Catherine

From $24.98

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate

Plant type: Shrubs

Height: 75 cm

Spread: 75 cm

Flowering time: Summer, Autumn

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

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

Hebe Black Satin

Hebe Black Satin is a popular variety of Hebe due to both its colourful foliage and flowers. It grows as a rounded shrub carrying glossy, dark purple foliage with a green undertone. The foliage is adorned by spectacular sprays of light pink flowers through spring and summer as it grows to about 1 m tall and the same wide. Hebe Black Satin is a versatile plant that is often used in mixed and border plantings, or planted around outdoor living areas. A mass planting either on a bank or as a groundcover affords an amazing display with this plant.

Buy Hebe Black Satin

From $25.58

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Shrubs

Height: 1.00 m

Spread: 1.00 m

Flowering time: Spring, Summer

Tolerances: Coastal

Garden uses: Borders, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas

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

Why Choose Hebe Plants?

Hebes are renowned for their resilience and adaptability. These evergreen shrubs tolerate wind, salt, and drought, making them ideal for gardens near the coast or exposed sites. They’re largely pest- and disease-resistant and require minimal maintenance—just trim back after flowering to encourage fresh growth. Hebe plants attract bees, butterflies, and birds, boosting biodiversity and creating a lively, healthy garden environment.

Popular Types of Hebe Plants

The stunning diversity and versatility of hebes mean you can find the perfect variety for every corner of your garden. Here’s a look at some standout types:

Hebe Catherine

Hebe Catherine is a compact, bushy shrub with vibrant purple blooms in summer and deep green foliage all year round. Its neat size makes it ideal for borders, containers, or as a colourful statement in smaller spaces.

Hebe Black Satin

For dramatic foliage, Hebe Black Satin is a favourite. The leaves have a glossy, deep purple-black sheen that contrasts beautifully with pale lilac flowers during the warmer months. Plant it as an eye-catching accent or combine with lighter-leaved hebes for visual interest.

Hebe Red Edge (Hebe albicans Red Edge)

Hebe Red Edge (Hebe albicans Red Edge) stands out with its blue-grey leaves edged in red, and delicate white to pale lilac flowers. The contrasting leaf colours are particularly striking, making it a great option for mixed shrub beds and low hedges.

Hebe Waireka

Hebe Waireka offers dense foliage and abundant mauve flowers from late spring through summer. Its compact habit makes it wonderful for borders, edging, and container planting. Its foliage remains lush and vibrant even during cooler months.

Hebe Marie Antoinette

Hebe Marie Antoinette boasts variegated leaves with creamy yellow margins and soft pink flower spikes. With its colourful foliage and blooms, this hebe provides year-round interest, especially as a focal point in garden beds or pots.

Creating Your Hebe Collection

When selecting different types of hebe plants, consider their growth habits, flower colours, and foliage styles to combine for maximum year-round appeal. Mixing varieties like Hebe Catherine and Hebe Black Satin creates contrasting textures and tones, while compact types such as Hebe Red Edge (Hebe albicans Red Edge) are perfect along pathways or in rock gardens. These versatile shrubs thrive with moderate watering and well-drained soil, making them a smart choice for both new and experienced gardeners.

Explore the different types of hebe plants to create a garden bursting with colour, texture, and wildlife—all year round.

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.