Botanical name:

Hebe macrocarpa

Common name(s):

Hebe

About:

A dense shrub characterised by pairs of narrow leaves and clusters of small white or pinkish flowers, found throughout the wider Auckland area. The leaves can reach lengths of up to 163 mm, exhibiting an m-shaped cross section. The leaf buds are closely arranged at the base without any gaps. The flowers are tightly grouped, featuring elongated threads (anthers) within spikes that are approximately equal to the leaf length.

Natural habitat:

It occurs in coastal to upland areas, in scrub, at forest margins or in open areas in forest, and on rocky sites.

Growing environment:

Sun, Drought, Wind, Coastal, Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

North Island, from near Whangarei to near Kawhia, including islands of Hauraki Gulf and the Mercury Islands.

Height: 2m

Flowering: 

April-November (-January) with a white or pink coloured flower/s

Fruiting:

January-December (-January)

Uses:

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

How to grow:

Easily grown from fresh seed or semi hard wood cuttings.

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