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

hebe tree

The hebe tree is a beloved fixture in New Zealand gardens, admired for its year-round colour, stunning flowers, and hardy nature. While traditionally called “hebe shrubs,” many varieties grow upright with a tree-like habit, offering structure and beauty to any outdoor space. Whether you’re crafting a coastal retreat, a cottage garden, or want easy-care landscaping, the hebe tree is a versatile choice perfectly suited to our climate.

Hebe 'First Light'

Hebe 'First Light' is a compact evergreen shrub valued for its colourful variegated foliage and vibrant flower spikes. The combination of green, cream, and pink tones creates year round interest in New Zealand gardens. Flowering through summer, it adds further colour and appeal. Hebe 'First Light' is ideal for borders, containers, and low maintenance landscapes.

Buy Hebe 'First Light'

From $21.53

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Shrubs

Height: 50 cm

Spread: 90 cm

Flowering time: Spring, Summer

Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wind

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

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

Hebe Bel Air

Hebe Bel Air is a NZ native shrub that features impressive, lilac-pink flower spikes through summer. These are borne above the lush and glossy, green foliage, which together produce an outstanding plant as it grows to 75 cm tall and the same wide. Hebe Bel Air 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. It is also well suited to being mass planted on a bank or the like.

Buy Hebe Bel Air

From $22.88

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Shrubs

Height: 75 cm

Spread: 75 cm

Flowering time: Summer

Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy

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

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

What Is a Hebe Tree?

Despite often being known as shrubs, some hebe varieties can reach an impressive 1.5–2 metres or more, giving them an architectural presence similar to a small tree. Their dense evergreen foliage varies in shade, and seasonal flower spikes attract bees, butterflies, and native birds. Hebes are native to New Zealand, making them well-adapted to our soil, temperatures, and weather cycles.

Features and Benefits of Hebe Trees

Hebe trees offer more than just attractive greenery. These tough, reliable plants:

Thrive in coastal conditions and windy, exposed spots
Provide colour all year round with glossy leaves and vivid flowers
Come in a wide range of varieties and hues, from deep greens to dramatic purples
Are drought-tolerant once established, ideal for low-maintenance gardens

Many gardeners choose hebes for their bank-binding abilities and their resilience against pests and diseases. For outstanding purple foliage, Hebe Black Satin is a customer favourite, while Hebe Bel Air captivates with its profuse lilac blooms.

Popular Hebe Tree Varieties for New Zealand Gardens

The world of hebe trees is rich with options, allowing you to choose a variety that best suits your garden design or specific landscape requirements. Some top picks include:

Hebe Charlotte: Notable for its compact habit and elegant lavender flower spikes, perfect for borders and containers.
Hebe odora: A classic choice featuring lush, dark green leaves and small white flowers — excellent for hedging or layering.
Hebe Marie Antoinette: This showy variety is renowned for rich purple flower clusters that brighten up any garden spot.

Whether you want a single specimen plant or a massed hedge, mixing these varieties adds depth, texture, and interest throughout the seasons.

Growing and Caring for Hebe Trees

One of the greatest advantages of growing a hebe tree is its minimal care requirements. Plant your hebe in well-draining soil in a sunny or lightly shaded location. Water deeply when first establishing, then only during extended dry spells. An annual trim after flowering helps keep your hebe looking neat and encourages dense growth.

Applying a layer of mulch will conserve soil moisture and suppress weeds. Hebes are generally free of serious pests and diseases, making them an ideal option for beginner gardeners or those seeking low-effort greenery.

Why Choose a Hebe Tree for Your Garden?

Few plants can rival the hebe tree for adaptability, native heritage, and year-round beauty. Explore our extensive range today, including highlights like Hebe Bel Air, Hebe Charlotte, Hebe odora, Hebe Black Satin, and Hebe Marie Antoinette. Bring the effortless elegance of a hebe tree to your outdoor oasis and enjoy a garden that looks great in every season.

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.