Botanical name:

Hebe speciosa

Common name(s):

Napuka, Titirangi

About:

This wide spreading Native New Zealand shrub stands out distinctly from the other Hebe species due to its wonderfully large and vibrant Magenta flowers, along with its rich, glossy green leaves that create an appealing visual contrast. It is known for being easy to grow, exceptionally hardy, and it thrives best in full sun conditions, making it an excellent choice for many gardeners.

Natural habitat:

Coastal cliffs and headlands, in low windswept scrub and flax-land. Rarely under taller trees.

Growing environment:

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

Endemic distribution:

North and South Islands. In the North Island known only from west coast. In the South Island from several sites in the Marlborough Sounds. Now only known from outer South Head (Hokianga Harbour), Maunganui Bluff, near Muriwai Beach, at two sites on cliffs west of Aotea Harbour, Mokau and at Titirangi Bay (Marlborough sounds). Recently it has been suggested that only the outer South Head, Maunganui Bluff and Muriwai populations are natural, the others resulting from past deliberate cultivation by Maori.

Height: 2m

Flowering: 

Throughout the year with a Red/Pink or Violet/Purple coloured flower/s

Fruiting:

Throughout the year.

Uses:

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

How to grow:

Easily grown from seed, cuttings and layered stem pieces. Cold sensitive and does best in an open, sunny, exposed place, in free draining soil. A spectacular plant ideal for a coastal property. Plants are rarely without flowers at any time of the year.

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