In The Garden Now…..’Blue Mist’ Hebe

‘Blue Mist’ Veronica

 Text and photo by Victoria Gilleland

‘Blue Mist’ Hebe is a lovely garden import from New Zealand. This evergreen plant has been growing in my garden for well over 15 years and has sailed through cold winters and some pretty severe abuse.

My shrub is growing under 100 foot tall Douglas Fir and Western Red Cedar trees so it gets little sunlight and minimal natural rainfall throughout the year. 

Branches have fallen on it repeatedly and it was nearly flattened by our late winter snow this past February. It always pops back into shape once the offending weight is lifted. That’s an “A” for resilience in my garden book.

This year’s bloom has been exceptional. The plant has been covered with an amazing number of clear blue cone shaped blossoms for weeks. I’m wondering if our icy late winter weather had something to do with this year’s super flower display.

Like most Hebe this one likes well drained soil and will thrive in full sun to part shade. The foliage is a rich dark green and has a leathery texture that stands up to cold winter winds. The blue flowers attract bees, butterflies and birds. 

My plant has maintained its compact stature at about 2 1/2 feet tall by 4 feet wide for all these years. Light pruning after bloom time to remove spent blossoms and damaged branches keeps this shrub in shape.

Many Hebe have met an untimely death in my garden. Perhaps too cold, too wet, too shady, wrong soil, who knows? I’d have to say this one is more adaptable and easier to grow than some….like the ones I killed!

‘Blue Mist’ has been a handsome tried and true performer in my garden. I wholeheartedly recommend this lovely compact shrub!

(Veronica ‘Blue Mist’)

Victoria Gilleland is the owner of Cottage Garden Designs, a Garden Design company specializing in Redesign of Residential Gardens, Garden Consultation and Coaching. She has been designing gardens in the northwest for over 25 years. (vjgilleland@yahoo.com)