Pretty 'n' Pink Hebe

Pretty 'n' Pink Hebe (Hebe 'Pretty 'n' Pink') is a dwarf evergreen shrub, low and wide at about 30cm tall and 90cm across. Its small dark green leaves flush deep purple with new growth, and clusters of purple-pink flowers open at the stem ends from late winter to early summer, ageing to white. It is the hebe for pots, edges and slopes.

Why you'll love it

• Colour in leaf and flower. New leaves are deep purple against dark green, and the flower clusters open purple-pink before fading to white, so one plant carries several shades.
• A long flowering season. Flowers appear from late winter to early summer, a stretch of colour when many gardens are bare.
• Compact and tidy. At 30cm by 90cm it fits at the front of a border, on a patio or in the smallest courtyard.
• Copes with sea air and humidity. It tolerates light frost, sea breezes and humidity, though not very hot tropical climates.
• Pollinator friendly. Bees visit the flowers, so a few plants bring life to even a tiny space.

Where it works best

Pots and patios. Deep leaf colour all year makes it a good pot plant for a patio, deck or entry. Keep the potting mix evenly moist.

Low hedges and edges. Plant 60cm apart in a single row for a low, flowing line along a path or border. At 90cm wide the plants overlap at that spacing.

Slopes and banks. Its low, wide habit covers soil on a gentle slope. Space plants 60cm apart across the bank.

Growing Pretty 'n' Pink Hebe in Australia

Position and climate. Sun or shade, with the deepest leaf colour in sun. It tolerates light frost, sea breezes and humidity, so it suits cool temperate, warm temperate, Mediterranean and humid subtropical gardens. Very hot tropical climates are too much for it.

Soil. Moist, free-draining soil. It hates drying out and it dislikes cold, wet, heavy soil, so lighten clay with compost and plant it slightly raised.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly until established, usually around 12 weeks, and keep watering through dry spells. Fertilise in early spring and autumn with a controlled-release fertiliser.

Pruning. Lightly prune all over each year after flowering to maintain shape and encourage new growth. Hebes do not like hard pruning, so avoid cutting back into bare wood.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Pretty 'n' Pink Hebe as tube stock (a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly), in 140mm pots in packs of 10 and in 200mm pots in packs of 6. Tubes are the economical choice for an edge or a bank, and the larger pots give a fuller plant for a patio display from the start. 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 the hebe range
• Plants for small gardens
• Low hedge plants under 1 metre
• Plants for retaining walls and banks

Common questions

How big does Pretty 'n' Pink get?

Around 30cm tall and 90cm wide, so it spreads rather than climbs. Space plants 60cm apart for a low, joined-up planting.

Why is the new growth purple?

The new leaves emerge deep purple and mature to dark green. The leaf colour is deeper in sun.

Can I prune it hard?

No. Hebes dislike hard pruning, so give it a light trim all over once a year after flowering.