Hebe Jewel of the Nile

Hebe 'Jewel of the Nile'® is a superb variety of hybrid Shrubby Veronica, with ever-changing, original and colourful foliage throughout the year. The long evergreen leaves are variegated with bright yellow and green in summer. With the arrival of the first cold weather, shades of pink and red blush the edges of the leaves. The stems are reddish, very attractive in contrast to the foliage. In June, lovely intense pink flower spikes complete the picture. This relatively hardy little bush is easy to grow in regions where winter is not too harsh. This variety naturally forms a beautiful, compact and dense evergreen cushion, ornamental all year round. The plant is disease-resistant, undemanding about soil type, and drought resistant once well established in the garden. It is also an excellent plant for the terrace.

Hebe 'Jewel of the Nile'® is a recent hybrid cultivar. It belongs to the Plantaginaceae family and is similar to perennial veronicas. It forms a small, regular bush with a compact and somewhat spreading habit, reaching about 60 cm (24 in) in all directions. Its reddish stems, which lignify with age, bear thin, long, thick and leathery elliptical leaves. They have a green centre, edged with bright yellow to ochre. In winter, the base as well as the edges of the leaves turn reddish-pink. Flowering mainly takes place in May-June, sometimes with a second bloom in autumn. It takes the form of simple lateral inflorescences resembling long, thin spikes of 5 cm (2 in). They are composed of a multitude of small flowers: the flower buds, slightly tinged with white, reveal the intensity of their bright pink colour when they open. Pruning after flowering is recommended to maintain a compact habit and a neat appearance to this Shrubby Veronica.

With relatively slow growth and hardiness (down to -15°C (5 °F) for 'Jewel of the Nile'), Hebes are generally grouped with perennial plants as their use is closer to these than to shrubs. The 'Jewel of the Nile' variety, on the other hand, has a naturally compact and dense growth habit that is well suited for ornamental purposes on terraces and balconies, mixed with e.g. heathers or creeping rosemary. In favourable climates it can create neat and colourful borders throughout summer and be highly decorative in winter. In cold regions, Hebes can be grown in large pots on the terrace, to be stored in a bright and unheated room during winter.