Hebe parviflora angustifolia (Narrow Leafed Hebe)

If you didn't know that 'fluffy' was a pukka horticultural term, you do now. An extraordinary plant with a cast iron constitution - easily the most robust plant on the nursery. Not only a beautiful emerald green all through the winter but extremely frost hardy and able to grow absolutely anywhere - including where very little else will. In full sun this Hebe forms a typically moundy Hebe shape, producing a copious crop of white flowers in mid summer. However, it's its ability to grow happily in shady, dry and generally difficult spots that it really comes into its own. Shade will cause the plant to be drawn up revealing its woody structure at the base. It will usually grow to about 6ft (2 metres) but can be cut back from time to time with no ill effects. This should be done in the spring - not the autumn.

It's happy in any soil but, because it's such a vigorous grower, not suitable for growing in a pot. We have been growing this Hebe as a hedge for some years now with excellent results. Such a reliable plant that, to be quite honest, if you manage to kill it, ignoring the Winter 22/23 season, you might like to consider turning your attentions away from gardening to other pursuits.

N.B. When clipping several plants with the same tool, have a bucket containing a 5% bleach solution and swish your blades around for 30 seconds between plants to sterilise them. This will help avoid the chance of cross contamination of disease.

As with all woody plants, plant high, exposing as much of the taper at the base of the trunk as possible. Allowing soil to accumulate round the base of a tree can be fatal. Keep very well watered when first planted.

Video