Compact and evergreen! This shrub combines long-lasting flowers, variegated foliage and valuable late-season appeal
An exciting new Hebe for your patios and borders… ‘Wild Blue’ boasts long-lasting blue flower plumes, evergreen variegated foliage and a naturally compact shape.
The first thing you will notice is the abundance of rich blue flower plumes. These generous blooms can continue for up to 150 days! Beginning in summer and carrying colour well into autumn, when many other patio plants are starting to fade. Compared with many variegated Hebes, ‘Wild Blue’ produces larger, fuller flowers, creating a much more noticeable display.
Even before the flowers appear, the pointed variegated leaves give this evergreen shrub a smart, patterned look. The foliage remains attractive throughout the year, helping containers and smaller borders retain structure long after summer has passed.
Place it in a decorative patio pot as a stand-alone feature, add it to a mixed container, or grow it towards the front of a sunny border where its compact form will not overwhelm neighbouring plants.
A Magnet For Garden Wildlife
The nectar-rich flowers really do draw in bees and butterflies, bringing extra interest to the garden. This becomes particularly valuable later in the season, when fewer plants may still be producing generous supplies of nectar.
Simple To Grow
Plant ‘Wild Blue’ in fertile, well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Water regularly while it establishes and pay particular attention to plants growing in containers during warm, dry spells. Avoid waterlogged ground, especially in winter.
In colder areas, position it somewhere sheltered from harsh winds. Container-grown plants can be moved closer to a protected wall or given additional protection during severe frosts. Little pruning is required beyond removing any damaged or untidy growth to maintain its naturally compact shape.
What do you think of this remarkable new Hebe? Shop a 17cm potted, established Hebe Addenda ‘Wild Blue’ shrub here!
Ready to Grow? Here’s How to Plant Your New Hebe Addenda ‘Wild Blue’
- Dig a planting hole three times wider than the roots of the shrub you’re planting and mix some well-rotted compost or manure with the soil from the hole and use this to re-fill once the shrub is in place.
- We’ve found that a square hole is better than a round one as the new roots, once they reach the edges tend to grow in a circle round the circumference of the hole whereas when they reach the corners of a square hole, they find it easier to grow through.
- Before planting soak container-grown shrubs thoroughly and allow them to drain.
- Remove the plant from its pot and tease out a few of the roots.
- Add Mycorrhizal fungi to the roots when planting to help the plant establish quicker.
- Place your shrub in the hole at the same level as it was supplied in the nursery pot then refill the hole with the earth removed (backfilling).
- Firm in the soil with your heel, avoiding the root ball then water well.
- Mulch around the base of the plant with a collar, compost, gravel, bark etc.
- If you’re planting into pots, place some old rocks, stones or gravel in the bottom of the pot for drainage and ballast.
- Use the best compost you can buy and some sand or grit for drainage.
