Botanical name:

Hebe cupressoides

Common name(s):

Cypress hebe

About:

A hebe from the whipcord group, featuring scale-like, vibrant green, and occasionally glaucous leaves on densely packed branchlets. It matures compactly up to 1 m and has a striking resemblance to a small conifer, reflected in its specific name. The small pale blue flowers appear in limited quantity. This species thrives in subalpine scrub and river flats of the eastern South Island. It requires a well-drained location. This particular whipcord hebe can tolerate humid conditions, provided it is situated in a dry area.

Natural habitat:

H. cupressoides is a plant of grey scrub communities and occurs across a range of sites from those that have been recently influenced by disturbance (especially river flooding and slips) to more stable sites such as rock outcrops and bouldery moraine.

Growing environment:

Frost, Sun, Drought, Salt, Wind, Coastal & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s eastern South Island, historically recorded from 35 sites extending from Marlborough south to Otago.

Height: 1m

Flowering:

November – February with a violet/purple or blue coloured flowers

Fruiting:

March - May

Uses:

Bird food / Attractant, Bee food, Riparian plantings, Pioneer Plantings & Flowers.

How to grow:

Easy from semi-hardwood and hardwood cuttings and fresh seed. In cultivation flowering plants often produce numerous spontaenous seedlings. Rarely flowers in lowland, warmer or more humid climates.

** Seed germinates without pre treatment. Sow seeds direct & keep moist until germination is complete.