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

variegated hebe

If you’re looking for an eye-catching, easy-care plant that brightens your garden all year round, a variegated hebe is the perfect choice. These hardy New Zealand natives are famous for their colourful, cream-edged foliage and compact growth, making them stars in both borders and pots. Variegated hebe varieties bring a touch of glamour to any outdoor space, thriving in most soil types and tolerating both coastal conditions and frosts. Whether you’re planning pollinator-friendly planting or want to add interest to a low-maintenance landscape, variegated hebes are a must-have for Kiwi gardeners.

Hebe Waireka

Hebe Waireka features lush and glossy foliage that is variegated with a dark green centre and a cream edge. The foliage is adorned from spring until autumn with tall and showy spikes of purple flowers as it grows to about 1 m tall and the same wide. Hebe Waireka is commonly added to a mixed planting, used in borders, planted around outdoor living areas, used in cottage gardens, or mass planted on a bank.

Buy Hebe Waireka

From $21.53

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Shrubs

Height: 1.00 m

Spread: 1.00 m

Flowering time: Spring, Autumn, Winter

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

Hebe Orphan Annie

Hebe Orphan Annie is grown for its variegated foliage and prolific flowering through summer and autumn. Short flower spikes carrying purple flowers are borne amidst the lush and glossy, cream and green leaves. This NZ native typically grows with a rounded shape to about 50 cm tall and the same wide. Hebe Orphan Annie is ideal for including in a mixed planting, mass planting either as a groundcover or on a bank, adding to borders, including in cottage gardens, or planting around outdoor living areas.

Buy Hebe Orphan Annie

From $25.58

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate

Plant type: Shrubs

Height: 50 cm

Spread: 50 cm

Flowering time: Summer, Autumn

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

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

Why Grow Variegated Hebe in Your Garden?

Variegated hebe plants are as practical as they are beautiful. Their evergreen leaves splash garden beds with contrasting colours, while summer flowers attract bees and butterflies. Many gardeners choose variegated hebe as a striking solution for edging, mass planting, or even low hedging, thanks to their moderate growth habit and resilient nature. Plus, with so many named cultivars, you can easily combine different forms for a truly unique look.

Popular Variegated Hebe Varieties

Choosing the right variegated hebe can transform the style and structure of your garden. For those who love subtle foliage contrasts, Hebe Waireka offers a splash of cream variegation on luscious green leaves, complemented by delicate lilac flowers. Hebe Jewel Of The Nile is another sought-after variety, prized for its bold, multi-toned foliage and elegant upright shape.

Gardeners looking for compact forms will appreciate Hebe Catherine, valued for its small size and beautiful variegation. Other standout cultivars include Hebe 'First Light' and Hebe Orphan Annie, each with unique colour accents and flower displays.

How to Grow and Care for Variegated Hebe

One reason for the enduring popularity of variegated hebe is their minimal care requirements. They thrive in full sun to light shade and well-drained soil. Once established, these plants are drought-tolerant and only need an occasional trim to keep their shape. Regular deadheading after flowering can also encourage more blooms.

Mulch around the base in spring to conserve moisture and suppress weeds, and feed lightly with a slow-release fertiliser to keep foliage vibrant. In frost-prone regions, plant your variegated hebe in a sheltered spot or position it in a container for extra protection in winter.

Companion Planting and Design Tips

Variegated hebes look wonderful alongside plain green shrubs, giving your borders extra depth and contrast. Try combining different varieties such as Hebe Orphan Annie and Hebe Catherine for a harmonious yet diverse display. For broader swathes of colour, mix variegated hebes with other native plants or incorporate them into mixed perennial beds.

Find Your Perfect Variegated Hebe

Add a touch of lasting colour to your garden with a stunning variegated hebe. From the classic Hebe Waireka and playful Hebe Jewel Of The Nile, to the compact Hebe Catherine, there’s a variety for every garden style. Browse our collection today and discover how effortlessly these versatile shrubs can enhance your landscape.

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.