Hebe Purple Shamrock = 'Neprock'
Also known as Veronica Purple Shamrock = 'Neprock' (H), Hebe 'Purple Shamrock'
- Height × spread
- 0.65m × 1m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Generally available in Winter & early Spring
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A hearty and beautiful plant, showy at all seasons. The densely packed leaves are long and tapering. They are coloured green at their centre, often a mere streak of colour. The outer part of the shiny leaves are creamy yellow or yellow with purple flushed young growth. The whole ensemble turns bright purple during winter. It has small spikes of light mauve flowers in summer. This is a good hardy plant that is a sport (mutation) of the popular 'Mrs Winder'.
- Flower colour
- Mauve, Purple
- Foliage colour
- Green, Pink, Yellow
- Variegated
- Yes
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 0.65m
- Spread
- 1m
- Height in 10 years
- 0.6m
- Spread in 10 years
- 0.8m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Small scale garden, Seaside garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- 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, Architectural, 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 - mid · Planting
Prune old branches occasionally
On well established plants, every other year take out two or three branches to their base, doing this as the plant is just coming into growth. This is a very gentle prune, and be careful not to spoil the plant's symmetry.
Summer
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.