Hebe ‘Nicola’s Blush’
Hebe ‘Nicola’s Blush’, a cultivar of the hebe genus which has about 90 to 100 species of plants and forms the largest genus of plants available in New Zealand. They also occur in wild hybrid cultivars although it is not common.
Hebe ‘Nicola’s Blush’ (T&M Plants)
Hebe ‘Nicola’s Blush’ is native to New Zealand and scattered around the southern hemisphere in the Falkland Islands and South America. Plants of this genus grow in all manner of environments from mountain slopes to the lowlands but are most commonly found in alpine shrubland, grassland, fellfield; coastal ecosystems, low-life scrubs, and sometimes along forest margins where they can be sheltered from direct sunlight.
Description
It is a rounded, evergreen, compact shrub with attractive foliage. Its leaves are lanced-shaped, appear as decussate pairs of opposite directions. They are mid to dark green with red margins, which become purple in winter. It blooms upright and spiky, magenta-pink flowers on short inflorescences.
The flower buds open pink and soften to white as they mature, giving a two-tone effect in early summer or late autumn. Hebe ‘Nicola’s Blush’ is also known to attract bees, butterflies, moths, and other pollinators due to its nectar/pollen-rich flowers.
The plant is capable of growing from 3 feet up to 6 feet in height in about 5 to 10 years. It is beautiful when grown as a specimen plant and also useful in making flowering hedges.
Hebe plants range in general size from dwarf bushes to small trees and leaf size from large to small and Hebe ‘Nicola’s blush’ is located on the dwarf spectrum of the Hebe genus.
Growth and Care for Hebe ‘Nicola’s Blush’
Hebe plants are ornamental plants that are generally considered low-maintenance plants because it is easy to grow and care for. It is best planted in late spring, to establish its roots during the summer months, and you can experience their long blooming seasons. This versatile plant thrives in a range of conditions; let’s get the details:
- Soil: Hebe ‘Nicola’s Blush’ plant grows well in poor conditions or moderately fertile soil. It thrives in neutral to alkaline soil with a pH range of 7 to 8.5 but can also accommodate mildly acidic soil. They are adaptable to a variety of soil types like loamy, sandy, clay, and chalky soil; but ideally require loose, moist but well-draining soil for optimum performance. and do not necessarily require the addition of organic matter.
- Light: This exotic plant is capable of growing in partial to full sun exposure, although the full sun can be tolerated, dappled or shaded growing areas is ideal for this species.
- Water: The watering frequency of this species is average. Watering can be done once or twice a week as long as the topsoil is kept consistently moist. Additional watering may be necessary for hot and dry weather to avoid damaging its beautiful foliage and flowers.
- Temperature: From a genus of tropical origin, hence this species is most suited for regions with cool summers and mild winters. Warm to high temperatures are ideal for the plant. It is an evergreen plant but may not survive harsh winters and is rarely frost-tolerant because the freezing condition will cause the foliage and the rest of the plant to die. The ideal summer temperature ranges from 20 to 22 degrees Celsius, while winter temperatures range from 7 to 13 degrees Celsius
- Pests and diseases: Aphids are the most common pest on this species and leaf spot or downy mildew are the most common recurring diseases.
- Toxicity: Although it is non-toxic to us, livestock and birds, it is toxic to cats, dogs and horses.
