Botanical name:

Hebe leiophylla (Hebe gracillima)

Common name(s):

About:

H. leiophylla is a bushy shrub characterised by its distinctive pairs of narrow leaves and long, erect flower spikes that thrive in the northern regions of New Zealand’s South Island. The leaves of this unique plant exhibit considerable variability in size, reaching lengths of up to 56mm, and they feature a noticeable bud with a small gap situated between the base of the leaves. The flowers, which are a striking white colour, come together to form a beautiful spike that can extend up to an impressive 17cm in length.

Natural habitat:

Grows in scrub and at forest margins in a range of situations, sometimes in swampy sites. from sea-level to the tree-line.

Growing environment:

Frost, Sun, Wetland, Wind & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

Widespread on New Zealand’s northern South Island, north of the Organ Range and Greymouth.

Height: 3m

Flowering:
(December-) January-April (-June) with a white coloured flower/s

Fruiting:
(December-) February-June (-November)

Uses:

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

How to grow:

Easily grown from seed, cuttings and layered stem pieces. Does best in an open, sunny, exposed place, in free draining soil.

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