Hebe odora (h.buxifolia)

This hebe has two names: hebe odora or hebe buxifolia. I suppose that the other one is closer to what it really looks like although the first one is a preferred botanical version. Its leaves and habit really resembles box shrubs. Evergreen leaves are mid green, small and densely cover the branches. In June it has profusion of tiny white flowers in terminal racemes.

Hebe odora is probably the fastest growing hebe among small-leaves species reaching about 1m tall in our climate (USDA zone 6). It can easily be clipped and shaped in early spring after all frosts. When pruning make sure you cut the plant evenly on all sides.

Hebes need very well-drained but constantly moist, poor or medium fertile soil that is anything from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. It needs good mulching at all times. They originate in New Zealand i.e. a country with high air humidity and mild winters so for our climate we only choose the hardies species and varieties which are mostly dwarf and have small leaves. They are hardy on sites sheltered from strong, drying winds and hidden from direct winter sunlight to about -23°C (USDA zone 6). You can protect them with fir branches or white woven in colder regions. Adult hebes usually regenerate readily after harsh winter damage if they are well-established. They can be grown with no protection in USDA zones 7 and up.

Last update 02-01-2011