Container Growing Hebe Can Be Delightful – But Good Drainage Is Paramount
Ed is a horticultural therapist, professional gardener and writer. Ed has a BSc in Occupational Therapy from Coventry University and a Diploma in Social and Therapeutic Horticulture (DipSTH) via Thive, the RHS and Pershore College. Ed runs a community kitchen garden in West Sussex, where he leads horticultural therapy sessions.
Reviewed By COLIN SKELLY
Colin is a Horticulturist and Horticultural Consultant with experience in a range of practical and managerial roles across heritage, commercial and public horticulture. He holds the Royal Horticultural Society’s Master of Horticulture award and has a particular interest in horticultural ecology and naturalistic planting for habitat and climate resilience.
Contributions From CHARLIE BEWLEY
With over 35 years of experience growing hebes, Charlie Bewley is the Owner of Hic Bibi Wholesale Nurseries, based in Chorley, UK.
IN THIS GUIDE
Hebes are a genus of evergreen shrubs that flower during the warmer months.
Hebes originate from New Zealand and other parts of the southern hemisphere and are well suited to container growing in the UK climate.1Hebe and Related Genera. (n.d.). NZETC. Retrieved March 16, 2023, from https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-DawFore-t1-body-d9-d4-d4.html
Generally grown for their white, pink or purple blooms, some varieties have attractive foliage and being evergreen, can provide some ornamental winter interest and structure to the garden.
Can You Grow Hebe In Pots?
Hebe specialist Charlie Bewley from Hic Bibi Wholesale Nurseries says that as long as hebes are grown in free-draining soil in a sheltered position with lots of sun, they can be grown in pots.
Hebes are available in a wide array of sizes, from small dwarf shrubs that are ideal for growing in a container or pot to larger varieties, that are more suitable for the back of a bed or a border.
“Smaller leaf varieties tend to be hardier,” Charlie explains.
Choosing Hebe Containers
When choosing a container to grow hebes in, it is paramount that large drainage holes are present as they prefer moist, but well-drained soil and struggle if grown in wet or waterlogged soil.
When it comes to the size of the container, I would advise you to choose a pot that is a minimum 30cm diameter to make sure that it will be large enough to accommodate the plant’s mature size and root system accordingly.
Containers are now made from many different materials and will not have much of a bearing on a hebes growth.
However, it can be advisable to choose a material that would not be damaged by being left out over the winter.
Sourcing Compost
Hebes require a free draining soil to avoid their roots becoming too wet, especially during the colder months.
When choosing soil for planting out hebes in containers, you should use either a peat-free multi-purpose compost or a loam-based mix with plenty of horticultural grit added to improve the drainage.
Potting Up Hebes
When potting up a hebe, a thin layer of gravel can be added to the bottom of the container to help with drainage, before half filling with your chosen compost or soil.
Once the container is half filled with compost, place the plant at the same depth it was previously planted at and backfill with soil, gently firming in as you go.
Water well on planting to help the soil settle and to eliminate any air gaps around the roots.
Pots and containers can be placed upon feet, which will raise your shrub above the ground and allow any excess water to drain away freely.
How Many Can You Plant Per Pot?
Hebes tend to be grown individually in pots, as not only can they grow quite large, but for aesthetic reasons as well.
However, some of the smallest dwarf varieties can be planted together, but only in a large container or long trough where they will have enough room to grow and not crowd each other out.
Ongoing Potted Hebe Care
Watering
Correct watering of Hebes is a key part of their care, especially as they are getting established and prefer to be grown in a moist soil.
They will struggle if overwatered or allowed to dry out completely.
When it comes to watering hebes in containers during the growing season, I would recommend you wait until the top 3-5cm of soil has dried out before watering again.
“It is essential that Hebes have a large enough pot to allow the compost to retain moisture during the height of summer,” says Colin Skelly, a Horticultural Consultant.
“During hot spells, check the soil moisture daily. A drip irrigation system, ideally with a moisture sensor, makes an efficient option and a great benefit if you plan to be away.”
Be aware that any pot-grown hebes will require more frequent watering compared to those grown directly in the ground.
In winter, hebes do not require as much moisture, as wet and cold soil can lead to their roots rotting.
As the temperatures drop, watering can be reduced and containers moved to the shelter of a wall or undercover to ride out the worst of the cold and wet weather.
Fertilising
Hebes are not overly hungry shrubs and grow best in a soil with poor to medium fertility.
However, when grown in pots or containers, hebes can benefit from being given a balanced fertiliser in spring to replace any spent nutrients lost during the previous year.
Charlie recommends fertilising pot-grown hebes with seaweed feed, as this can help keep fungal infections at bay.
Pruning
To promote a long flowering season, hebes should be regularly deadheaded as the flowers fade, which should encourage new blooms to form, depending on the variety.
When it comes to pruning potted Hebes, they are relatively low maintenance and only require a light trim at the end of summer the flowering period comes to an end and again in spring to remove any dead or damaged wood after a harsh winter.
Repotting
Even though Hebes are not the longest-lived shrubs, they can last for several years and at times will need repotting and their soil refreshed.
In general, Hebes need repotting every couple of years or if they have outgrown their current pot, whichever comes sooner.
Overwintering
During the growing season, most Hebe shrubs prefer to be situated in full sun to partial shade and out of any drying winds.
A south- or west-facing sheltered spot is ideal.
However, some Hebes are hardier than others and it is advisable to check the shrub’s hardiness rating, which will determine whether the plant requires some extra care over the coldest months.
It is also good to note that any hebes grown in containers will be more exposed to the elements as they are less well insulated.
A key benefit of growing hebes in containers is that come winter they can easily be moved or given a little more protection, as Charlie explains:
“If there is a cold snap in winter, move your hebes into a greenhouse or cover with a horticultural fleece.”
Alternatively, as the temperatures fall or if frost is forecast, containers can be either placed in a cold frame or moved under the lee of a wall or porch to protect them from the worst.
