Hebe ochraceae
Ochre whipcord hebe
Also known as Veronica ochraceae (H), Hebe armstrongii
- Height × spread
- 0.6m × 1m
- 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
A plant that can look like a miniature wind-blasted tree. It makes a low fan-shape with many knobby ascending stems that carry scale-like foliage, pressed close to the stems. It is a form known as a 'whipcord' hebe. It is found growing in alpine regions of the 'dry side' of the mountainous Southern Island of New Zealand. It grows in scrub, amongst tussocks of grass and on volcanic scree. The leaves are coloured a burnished green-gold, briefly enlivened by tiny white flowers that appear in late spring and early summer. A small plant of great character that could serve as a specimen on a rock garden, or can look attractive grown in groups in gravel gardens. The foliage always catches the eye during winter.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green, Yellow
- Stem colour
- Brown, Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 0.6m
- Spread
- 1m
- Spread in 10 years
- 0.6m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Winter
- Flowers in
- Spring, Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Seaside garden, Gravel 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
- Use for
- 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-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.