Botanical name:

Hebe macrantha

Common name(s):

Hebe

About:

A plant found in the subalpine to alpine regions of the South Island, this hebe develops into a sprawling shrub reaching approximately 60 cm in height. It features leathery, oval-shaped serrated leaves and produces striking white flowers during the summer months. These flowers are the largest among all hebe varieties, measuring around 18 mm in diameter. Pruning should be done following the flowering period to promote denser growth, and it requires watering during dry spells.

Natural habitat:

It grows in penalpine grassland or low shrubland.

Growing environment:

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

Endemic distribution:

Mountains of South Island, chiefly on or west of the Main Divide, from near Lake Tennyson, to the Franklin Mountains. The varieties overlap in distribution at Lake Tennyson, southern Nelson, and possibly also (not verified by specimens) at localities between there and Lewis Pass.

Height: 60cm

Flowering:
(November-) December-February (-April) with a white coloured flowers.

Fruiting:

(December-) February-May (-November)

Uses:

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

How to grow:

Easily grown from fresh seed, semi-hardwood cuttings and layered pieces.

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