Heebie Jeebies Hebe

Heebie Jeebies Hebe (Hebe 'Heebie Jeebies') is a neat, rounded evergreen shrub from New Zealand, about 1m tall and 1m wide. Tapering spikes of pale lilac-blue flowers, white at the base, open from midwinter into spring, when bees and butterflies have little else to visit. It suits small gardens and pots, and it largely keeps its own shape.

Why you'll love it

• Winter and spring flowers. Tapering clusters of pale lilac-blue flowers appear at the ends of the stems from midwinter into spring, fading to white at the base.
• A shape that looks after itself. The habit is naturally rounded, so it holds a tidy form with only a light trim after flowering.
• Glossy, firm leaves. Small, glossy evergreen leaves keep the plant looking good through the year, whether or not it is in flower.
• Food for pollinators. Bees and butterflies work the flowers in winter, when food is scarce for them.
• A one metre shrub. At 1m by 1m it is small enough for a backyard bed or a large pot, yet big enough to carry a proper flower display.

Where it works best

Low flowering hedge. Plant 80cm apart in a single row for a soft, rounded hedge about 1m high. Because the habit is naturally round, it needs little clipping.

Feature shrub. Use a single plant by a front step, or group three in a mixed border. The pale blue-purple flowers suit a cool-toned or pastel colour scheme.

Pots and containers. A large pot on a patio or deck shows off the flowers at eye level, and keeps the plant moist and sheltered.

Growing Heebie Jeebies Hebe in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade. Hebes prefer mild, moist conditions: this one tolerates light frost but not high heat, so it suits cool temperate, warm temperate and Mediterranean gardens best. In hot, humid northern gardens it struggles.

Soil. Moist but well-drained soil. Add compost at planting and mulch to keep the roots cool and evenly damp.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly until established, usually around 12 weeks, and do not let it dry out for long afterwards. Fertilise in early spring and then every other month through summer.

Pruning. Prune the tips while the plant is young to encourage dense growth. Snip off dead flowerheads, then lightly prune after flowering.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Heebie Jeebies Hebe as tube stock (a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly) and in 140mm pots in packs of 10. Tubes are the economical way to plant a run of hedging, and the 140mm pots give you a sturdier plant straight away. Plants travel upright and settle in within a few weeks of planting.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse our hebe range
• Low maintenance shrubs for Aussie gardens
• Plants that thrive in pots
• Bee and butterfly friendly plants

Common questions

How is it different from Hebe 'Inspiration'?

Heebie Jeebies has paler, bluer flowers and smaller leaves than its parent Inspiration, so choose it for a cooler, pastel colour scheme.

Does it need pruning?

Not much. The habit is naturally rounded. Snip off dead flowerheads and give it a light trim after flowering, and tip prune while it is young to build density.

Can it take the heat?

Not high heat. It tolerates light frost, which makes it a better choice for mild and cool climates than for hot, humid ones.