Hebe pinguifolia Sutherlandii

Hebe pinguifolia Sutherlandii is one of the hardiest and most tolerant shrubby veronicas when it comes to soil conditions, provided it is well-drained. This compact variety forms a charming little rounded bush, densely leafy, with a soft grey-green to almond green colour that easily blends with all kinds of perennial plants or small flowering bushes. It blooms elegantly from June to August, in the form of white, globular spikes that harmonize with the color of its foliage. Hardy for the genus, it tolerates sea spray and dry, poor soils. In summary, it is an excellent rockery or sunny terrace plant, capable of living for many years in the garden. In cold and humid regions, it is best to cultivate in a pot and store indoors during winter.

Hebe pinguifolia Sutherlandii belongs to the Plantaginaceae family, like its perennial veronica cousins. This plant is a cultivar derived from H.pinguifolia (syn. Hebe 'Pageana'), a botanical species native to the dry mountainous regions of the South Island, New Zealand. 'Sutherlandii' is a well-branched, perennial shrub with fairly rapid growth in moist soil, with a bushy and rounded habit, very dense, reaching 50 to 60cm (20 to 24 in) in all directions. When grown in dry and poor soil its growth will be slower and will rarely exceed 30cm (12 in) in height. Its stems, which become lignified with age, bear small oval, concave leaves, 1 to 1.5cm (0.4 to 0.6 in) long, thick and leathery. They are light green with reddish margins in spring and winter, and silvery in summer. Flowering occurs from June to August in the form of numerous small terminal globular inflorescences. Each small cluster has a delicate appearance, thanks to the long blue anthers that protrude from the small white flowers. Pruning is not necessary for this naturally compact shrubby veronica with good longevity in well-drained soil.

Hebe plants are often slow-growing and relatively less hardy, and are generally classified as perennial plants because their use is closer to that of perennials than shrubs. The 'Sutherlandii' variety, on the other hand, possesses the robust, hardy, and long-lived characteristics of its ancestor from the dry mountains of New Zealand. Its compact, dense ball-like growth is just as suitable for ornamental use on terraces and balconies as it is for use as a large ground cover in dry areas, or to structure the decoration of a large rock garden. Depending on the preferences of each gardener and the soil conditions, it can be paired with e.g. bushy or non-bushy heathers (Erica multiflora, Calluna, Erica cinerea), Fabiana, Globularia alypum, Lithodora, dwarf brooms, or creeping rosemary. It can also be used as a substitute for boxwood intopiary, as it allows for softer shapes. In favourable climates it can create neat edges for pathways or terraces, as well as forming very dense carpets. In cold regions Hebe plants can be grown in large pots on the terrace and stored in a bright, unheated space during winter. It is worth noting that Hebe plants are well-suited for urban gardens, as they tolerate pollution quite well.