Hebe Celebration

Hebe 'Celebration' is a brand new hybrid variety of shrubby Veronica directly descended from the beautiful 'Wiri Charm'. Just as easy to grow, as floriferous and relatively hardy, it stands out for its beautiful variegated foliage of cream edged with pink, which is ornamental all year round. It forms a lush, harmoniously shaped bush that also charms with its long summer flowering of pinkish-purple to magenta flower spikes. The flowers renew from July to September-October if the weather permits. It is a versatile plant that can be grown in many regions with relatively mild winters, due to its good tolerance to limestone and poor soils. Hebes are traditionally excellent plants for terraces or coastal gardens, and this one is no exception.

'Celebration' is a very recent New Zealand cultivar, selected in England by Yvonne and Stephen Humphreys and distributed by Genesis Plantparketing Ltd. Hebe 'Wiri' have been selected for their increased resistance to foliage diseases, often prevalent in humid climates. It belongs to the Plantaginaceae family and is related to perennial Veronicas. It forms a small, regular-shaped, airy, dome-shaped bush, averaging 80 cm to 90 cm (31.5 in to 35.4 in) in height and 1.1 m (3.6 ft) in width. Its stems, which lignify with age, bear slender, medium-sized, thick and leathery leaves. The foliage is shiny, dark green with cream variegation and edged with pink. Flowering begins in July and ends in September if the soil remains moist, in the form of branched inflorescences resembling small, 10 cm (3.9 in) long pyramidal panicles. Each cluster has a light appearance, due to the long stamens that protrude from a multitude of small purplish-pink flowers. Pruning in early spring and after flowering is recommended to maintain a compact habit and a neat appearance. The foliage remains evergreen in winter.

With relatively slow growth and relatively low hardiness (down to a minimum of -10° C (14° F) for 'Celebration'), hebes are generally placed with perennial plants because their use is closer to them than to shrubs. The 'Celebration' variety, on the other hand, has sufficient development to be included, in favourable climates, among other flowering shrubs. It prefers oceanic mildness to very hot summers. Its summer flowering goes well with buddleias, in a mix of colours, as well as their foliage, which is sometimes tinged with silver. In a coastal garden, it can be planted with Agapanthus, Escallonia, Myrtus, Oleanders, evergreen Ceanothus, Callistemons or even mimosas. Elsewhere, hebes can be grown in large pots on a terrace, to be stored in a bright, unheated room during winter.