Whipcord Hebe

Botanical name: Veronica quadrifaria

Common name(s): Whipcord Hebe

Plant facts:

A distinctive alpine shrub with tightly packed, scale-like leaves that give the branches a whipcord appearance. This hardy endemic species grows naturally in exposed mountain environments of the eastern South Island.

Natural habitat:

Found on alpine rock outcrops and scree slopes in exposed mountain environments.

Growing environment:

Frost, Wind, Sun & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

Endemic to the eastern South Island, from the Black Birch Range in Marlborough south to the Kirkliston Range in South Canterbury.

Height:

Up to 30 cm tall

Flowering:

December – January
Produces small white to pale pink flowers in clusters near the tips of branches.

Fruiting:

December – February

Uses:

• Alpine rock gardens
• Specialist native collections
• Low-growing structural shrub for exposed sites

Appearance:

Growth habit:
A low, spreading subshrub with densely branched, whip-like stems. Branches are square in cross-section and remain covered with persistent leaves.

Leaves:
Leaves are tiny, scale-like, and tightly clasp the stems in opposite pairs. They are triangular to semi-circular in shape with fine pale hairs along the margins.

Flowers:
Small white or pale pink flowers appear in clusters of 2–6 near the branch tips. Male and female flowers occur on separate plants.

Fruit:
Produces small dry seed capsules containing tiny wind-dispersed seeds.

How to grow:

Best grown in full sun with very free-draining soil. Ideal for alpine gardens, rockeries, and exposed dry sites. Requires good airflow and dislikes humid or poorly drained conditions.