Hebe 'Pink Elephant'
Also known as Veronica 'Pink Elephant' (H)
- Height × spread
- 0.5m × 1.2m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Flowers
- Spring, Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
Despite the name this is a low growing shrub with attractively variegated leaves. It has short stems that carry close-packed leaves that are very neat and appealing. They are coloured jade green at the centre with a pale yellow outer portion and touches of red on some leaf tips. The leaves may take on some pink flushing which is most noticeable in the cold winter months. There are short spikes of white flowers in early summer but this is primarily grown for its foliage. It is a hardy plant, a sport (mutation) of the popular Hebe 'Red Edge'.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green, Red, Yellow
- Variegated
- Yes
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 0.5m
- Spread
- 1.2m
- Spread in 10 years
- 0.9m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Flowers in
- Spring, Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Small scale garden, Seaside garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- Alkaline, Neutral
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Use for
- Structural, Bee attraction, Butterfly attraction
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Apply slow release fertiliser
Apply a slow release fertiliser which is spread around the root area of plants soon after they have come into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring-Summer · Planting
Prune lightly after flowering
Give the plant a light haircut, generally tidying it up and removing any shoots that are wayward or damaged in any way. Dead flowers can be cut off if this is practical - the shrub may have too many, or they may be hard to reach.
Planting & general
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.