Plant Library

Other Names:  Shrubby Veronica

Description:

An evergreen shrub with an open arching habit; the light gray-green leaves greatly contrast the thin black stems; fine violet flowers appear in early summer; adds interest to a shrub border or container

Ornamental Features

Quicksilver Hebe has masses of beautiful corymbs of violet flowers rising above the foliage from early summer to early fall, which are most effective when planted in groupings. It has attractive grayish green foliage edged in red. The glossy pointy leaves are highly ornamental and remain grayish green throughout the winter. The black stems are very effective and add winter interest.

Landscape Attributes

Quicksilver Hebe is an open multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a shapely form and gracefully arching branches. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It is a good choice for attracting birds, bees and butterflies to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Quicksilver Hebe is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Quicksilver Hebe will grow to be about 8 inches tall at maturity extending to 12 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 12 inches. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.

Quicksilver Hebe makes a fine choice for the outdoor landscape, but it is also well-suited for use in outdoor pots and containers. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a mass of flowers and foliage against which the thriller plants stand out. Note that when grown in a container, it may not perform exactly as indicated on the tag - this is to be expected. Also note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.