Hebe rakaiensis - Shrubby Veronica

Hebe rakaiensis or Rakai Hebe is one of the hardiest and most tolerant Speedwell shrubs, as long as the soil is very well-drained. This compact species forms a delightful small rounded bush, densely leafy, with a bright green colour, easy to integrate with all kinds of perennial plants or small flowering shrubs. It blooms from June to August, elegantly, in the form of very bright white spikes above the shiny foliage. Hardy for the genus, it tolerates sea spray and dry, poor soils; in summary, it is an excellent rockery or sunny terrace plant, capable of living for many years in the garden. In cold and wet regions, it is best to grow it in a pot and store it indoors during winter.

Hebe rakaiensis belongs to the Plantaginaceae family and is related to perennial veronica. It is a botanic species native to the dry mountainous regions of the South Island, New Zealand. This well-branched shrubby perennial plant grows relatively fast in moist soil, with a bushy and rounded habit, very dense, reaching about 90 cm (35 in) in height and 1.20 m (4 ft) in width at maturity. In dry and poor soil its growth will be slower and it will rarely exceed 50 cm (20 in) in height. Its stems, which lignify with age, bear small oval, concave, 1 to 1.5 cm (0.4 to 0.6 in) long, thick and leathery leaves. They are bright green in colour. Flowering takes place from June to August in the form of numerous small terminal inflorescences. Each small cluster has a light appearance due to the long purple anthers that protrude from the small white flowers. Pruning is not necessary for this naturally compact veronica, which has good longevity in well-drained soil.

Often slow-growing and relatively less hardy, Hebes are generally grouped with perennial plants because their usage is closer to these than to shrubs. The Rakai Hebe, on the other hand, has a robust, hardy, and long-lasting character. Its compact and dense ball-shaped development is equally suitable for ornamenting terraces and balconies as it is for large ground cover in dry terrain, or for structuring the decor of a large rockery. This veronica tolerates the presence of limestone in the soil. Depending on preference and the soil conditions, it can be combined with bushy heathers or non-bushy heathers (Erica multiflora, Calluna, Erica cinerea) as well as Fabiana, Globularia alypum, Lithodora, dwarf artemisias, or creeping rosemary. It can also be used for topiary, instead of boxwood, as it allows for softer shapes. In favourable climates it will create neat borders for paths or terraces as well as forming very dense carpets. In cold regions Hebes can be grown in large pots on the terrace, and stored in a bright, unheated space during winter. It should be noted that Hebes are well-suited for urban gardens, as they tolerate pollution quite well.