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hebes for shade

Hebes for shade are the perfect solution for gardeners seeking hardy, low-maintenance evergreen shrubs that thrive even in those tricky, low-light corners of the garden. While hebes are traditionally known for their love of sun, many varieties also do surprisingly well in partial shade, making them versatile choices for New Zealand gardens. If you have a sheltered space beneath trees, a shady border, or a south-facing wall, you can still enjoy the lush foliage and charming flowers hebes are renowned for.

Callistemon 'Burgundy Jack' shrub with purple flowers.

Callistemon 'Burgundy Jack' (Bottlebrush)

Callistemon 'Burgundy Jack' is a striking bottlebrush renowned for its vivid burgundy red flower spikes and fine evergreen foliage. Blooming from late spring through summer, it brings bold colour and attracts bees and birds into New Zealand gardens. Hardy, sun loving and tolerant of coastal exposure, this compact shrub offers year round structure and seasonal brilliance with very little maintenance required.

From $27.53

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 3.00 m
Spread: 2.00 m
Flowering time: Spring, Autumn, Winter
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Containers, Hedging, Living areas, Parks, Pool areas, Screening, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern
Callistemon 'Little John' shrub in a courtyard garden covered in elegant, red flowers.

Callistemon 'Little John'

5 from 3 customers

Callistemon 'Little John' is a compact dwarf bottlebrush celebrated for its deep red flowers and fine blue green foliage. Flowering from spring into summer, it attracts bees and birds while maintaining a neat rounded shape all year. This hardy shrub thrives in sunny New Zealand gardens, tolerates coastal exposure and dry conditions, and is perfect for modern landscapes, borders and low maintenance planting schemes.

From $26.91

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 1.00 m
Spread: 1.00 m
Flowering time: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Mediterranean, Modern, Rock
Callistemon 'Genoa Glory' shrub covered in pretty, red flowers.
Callistemon 'Genoa Glory' (Bottlebrush)

Callistemon 'Genoa Glory' is a striking bottlebrush variety known for its vivid crimson red flower spikes and lush evergreen foliage. Flowering from...

From$27.53
Leucadendron 'Jack Harre' orange and red flower.
Leucadendron 'Jack Harre'

Leucadendron 'Jack Harre' is a standout evergreen shrub valued for its strong structure and bold foliage that develops rich red and bronze tones...

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windbreak-clips-1
Shadecloth And Windbreak Clips (Shadecloth Clips)

These Shadecloth Clips are tough and designed to straddle the wire and lock together with the mildly tensioned cloth in between. The sharp pins...

From$0.56
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Shadecloth - 50% Shade (Shade Cloth)

This shade cloth which is also used as garden windbreak, reduces light levels and windspeeds by 50%. Therefore, 50% of the wind or light will still...

From$428.40
Callistemon 'Rocky Rambler' ground cover plant with creeping stems with green foliage and red flowers.
Callistemon 'Rocky Rambler' (Red Bottlebrush)

Callistemon 'Rocky Rambler' is a compact, spreading bottlebrush known for its vibrant red flower spikes and fine evergreen foliage. This variety...

From$27.53
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Windbreak - 50% (Garden Shade Cloth)

This green windbreak is also used as garden shade cloth and reduces light levels and windspeeds by 50%. Therefore, 50% of the wind or light will...

From$856.80
Callistemon citrinus (Red Bottlebrush) shrub covered in elegant, red flowers.
Callistemon citrinus (Lemon Scented Bottlebrush)

Callistemon citrinus (Crimson Bottlebrush) is a classic Australian shrub widely loved in New Zealand for its brilliant crimson red flower spikes and...

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Shadecloth - 70% Shade (Shade Cloth For Plants)

This shade cloth for plants, which is also used as plant windbreaks, reduces light levels and windspeeds by 70%. Therefore, 30% of the wind or light...

From$499.80
An Asplenium bulbiferum (Hen and Chicken Fern) growing in a shaded postion and displaying lush, green fronds.
Asplenium bulbiferum (Hen And Chicken Fern)

Asplenium bulbiferum, commonly known as the Hen and Chicken Fern or Pikopiko Fern, is a popular NZ native prized for its lush, arching fronds and...

From$26.15
Carex dissita (Purei) plant growing in a native garden.
Carex dissita (Purei)

Carex dissita, commonly known as Purei or Forest Sedge, features arching, mid-green leaves that radiate from a central clump. It typically grows to...

From$12.95
Carex virgata grass plants in pots at The Plant Company nursery.
Carex virgata

Carex virgata, commonly known as Swamp Sedge, is a hardy New Zealand native sedge that thrives in wetlands, damp soils, and along waterways. It forms...

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A fantastic Titoki tree (Alectryon excelsus) growing as a speciment tree in an urban park.
Alectryon excelsus

Alectryon excelsus, commonly known as the Titoki tree, is a handsome New Zealand native tree valued for its lush, glossy foliage and tidy, rounded...

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Melicytus ramiflorus (Mahoe) tree with lush, green foliage.
Melicytus ramiflorus

Melicytus ramiflorus, commonly known as Mahoe or Whiteywood, is a mid-sized, NZ native tree featuring lush foliage which is bright green and tends to...

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Phlebodium aureum Blue Star (Blue Star Fern)

The Blue Star Fern features wavy leaves that are a blue-green colour. This popular indoor plant grows as a clump to about 30 cm tall and the same...

From$38.57
Large Macropiper excelsum plant
Macropiper excelsum

Macropiper excelsum, commonly known as Kawakawa, is renowned for its heart-shaped, dark green leaves which are aromatic when crushed. This evergreen...

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Vinca Elizabeth Cran

Vinca Elizabeth Cran is a variety of the commonly known, Lesser Periwinkle, features small, dark green leaves which are held densely on stems that...

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Acer platanoides Princeton Gold (Princeton Gold Maple Tree)

Acer platanoides Princeton Gold is a variety of the commonly known, Plane-Leaved Maple, and is a medium sized tree with fantastic foliage. The leaves...

From$349.95
Knightia excelsa (Rewarewa) specimen tree in a park.
Knightia excelsa

Knightia excelsa, commonly known as Rewarewa, is an impressive NZ native tree featuring showy flowers and lush foliage. Unusual yet attractive, dark...

From$270.40
Tradescantia blossfeldiana plant with pink, white, and green variegated foliage.
Tradescantia blossfeldiana

Tradescantia blossfeldiana is an attractive trailing foliage plant valued for its soft green leaves with rich purple undersides and vigorous growth...

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Helleborus Pink Hybrid (Hellebore)

Helleborus Pink Hybrid is a beautiful winter-flowering perennial offering blooms in shades of soft to deep pink. It flowers from mid to late winter...

From$18.63
Corynocarpus laevigatus (Karaka) tree with lush foliage.
Corynocarpus laevigatus

Corynocarpus laevigatus, commonly known as Karaka, is a handsome, NZ native tree that features large and glossy, green leaves. The lush foliage is...

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Acanthus mollis perennial with purple-white flowers above lush, green foliage.
Acanthus mollis (Bears Breeches)

Acanthus mollis, known as Bears Breeches or Oyster Plant, is a bold and striking perennial that adds a touch of elegance to NZ gardens. It features...

From$24.95
Pseudowintera colorata colourful foliage.
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Acer 'Armstrong' bright red foliage.
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Ajuga 'Jungle Beauty' plants with elegant blue flowers and lush green leaves growing as a ground cover.
Ajuga 'Jungle Beauty'

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A Metrosideros robusta (Northern Rata) tree in full flower in a native reserve.
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Helleborus orientalis with colourful pink flowers.
Helleborus orientalis (Lenten Rose)

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Ajuga 'Catlins Giant' plants with green foliage and blue flowers growing in a garden bed.
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Carpodetus serratus

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Laurelia novae-zelandiae

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Callistemon 'Burgundy Jack' (Bottlebrush)

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Acanthus, Acer, Ajuga, Alectryon, Asplenium, Callistemon, Carex, Carpodetus, Corynocarpus, Helleborus, Knightia, Laurelia, Leucadendron, Macropiper, Melicytus, Metrosideros, Phlebodium, Pseudowintera Tradescantia and Vinca, or related Categories - Shadecloth & Windbreak, Ground Fern, Grasses, Groundcover Plants, Indoor Plants, Perennials, Evergreen Shrubs Evergreen Trees and Maple Tree.

Search hebes for shade

Why Choose Hebes for Shady Spots?

Selecting hebes for shade has many benefits. These adaptable shrubs provide year-round interest with their glossy leaves and, in many varieties, colourful spikes of blooms that attract bees and birds. Shaded areas often struggle with poor air circulation, but hebes help by improving soil stability and providing dense groundcover, reducing weed competition. Plus, their resistance to wind and salt means they suit exposed coastal gardens as well.

If you are looking to complement your hebes for shade, consider combining them with tough, shade-tolerant plants like Callistemon 'Little John' or Callistemon 'Genoa Glory' (Bottlebrush), both of which also handle dappled light.

Top Hebe Varieties for Shade

Not all hebes are created equal when it comes to shade. Compact, small-leafed varieties tend to perform best. Some popular choices include:

Heavier shade slows flowering, but these hebes still offer attractive foliage and structure throughout the year.

Planting and Caring for Hebes in Shade

Hebes for shade thrive best in well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. While they tolerate dampness better than many other plants, ensure the site isn’t waterlogged. When first planted, protect young shrubs using Shadecloth - 50% Shade (Shade Cloth) to help them settle, and consider securing it with Shadecloth And Windbreak Clips (Shadecloth Clips) for added stability in windy zones.

Keep soil moist but not soggy for the first season, then water less as plants establish. Light pruning after flowering helps maintain their compact habit and encourages bushy growth.

Pairing Hebes with Other Shade-Loving Shrubs

For year-round interest, pair your hebes for shade with companion shrubs such as Callistemon 'Rocky Rambler' (Red Bottlebrush) for vibrant red blooms, or mix with ferns, astelias, and native grasses to create a lush, layered effect in larger shaded beds.

By choosing the right hebes for shade, you can transform those underused corners of your garden into lush, inviting spaces with minimal fuss and maximum impact. Hebes truly bring beauty to every part of the garden—even in the shade.

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.

Illustration of plant leaves.
Garden icons like Avocado 'Hass' and Zephyranthes candida lead the way, but there’s magic in discovering Alcantarea imperialis (Bromeliad), Hypoestes 'Splash Pink', and Westringia brevifolia.
–The Plant Company

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