Gardening with Hebes

Not just evergreen and therefore of structural interest, but floriferous almost throughout the year, these Antipodean shrubs are worth their weight in gold in the garden, reflected in the ever-increasing sales and availability of new cultivars. From the diminutive Hebe ‘Colwall’ to the larger Hebe ‘Great Orme’, there are hebes suitable for beds and borders, sinks and troughs, hedging and containers. Flower colour ranges from white through deepest purple and leaf form from whipcord, glaucous, variegate and red-tipped. Hardiness too is discussed with only a few of the rarer species not being frost-hardy contrary to popular opinion. Specialist nursery owners and owners of the National Collection of Dwarf Hebes (East Anglia), Chris and Valerie Wheeler give a clear, concise guide to choosing, growing and propagating these choice shrubs. With their in-depth knowledge and working experience of the genus, the text is both informative and interesting, giving specialist information for particular species and cultivars not found elsewhere. Accompanied by the many colour photographs of Chris Wheeler and the pretty planting plans of Melanie Clitheroe, this is an attractive and useful work on these increasingly popular plants.