Description Description Hebe ‘Nicola’s Blush’ A rounded, bushy evergreen shrub, Hebe ‘Nicola’s Blush’ will delight your garden through-out the season with clouds of pretty magenta blooms, that gradually fade to white, and gorgeous burgundy foliage in the winter. Native to New Zealand, Hebe ‘Nicola’s Blush’ is sometimes known as shrubby veronica. Bushy and rounded in shape, this small hardy shrub is incredibly versatile, happy in many garden situations, and will reach its mature height of 1m within 5 – 10 years. The delicate pink flowers have a delightfully soft and airy form, and gradually fade to white creating a gorgeous two-tone effect. Arranged in dense racemes often 3cm long, the flowers sit atop spikes and are balanced beautifully by the narrow, dark green leaves. Hebe ‘Nicola’s Blush’ flowers from late spring to mid summer, again in autumn and often continuing into winter – happily attracting pollinators year-round. In winter the evergreen leaves flush to purple-red with neat red margins, adding attractive foliage to your garden during the colder months. Plant in autumn or spring in any well-drained soil, choosing a site ideally in full sun, or partial shade. ‘Nicola’s Blush’ will grow on moist soils, even chalk, as long as it isn’t too wet or too dry. If possible keep your Hebe sheltered from any cold winds. It is a stunning ornamental plant, perfect in a border or a pot and also works very well in coastal gardens particularly west and south coastline locations in the UK. It is also tolerant of some pollution, so works well in city spaces. Hebe doesn’t mind too much if it’s moved about, so it’s a good plant if you are likely to rearrange your garden. Hebe can be toxic to horses. Max Dimensions Ultimate height 1m Ultimate spread 1m Growth Rate Time to ultimate height 5 – 10 years Light levels Full sun, Partial shade Growing conditions Any moist, well-drained alkaline or neutral soil Hardiness RHS hardiness H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5) Uses Flower borders and beds Coastal gardens and gravel gardens Urban gardens, courtyards, patios and pots Naturalistic and informal planting
