Cute little subshrub that is for the most part evergreen in our climate. Slightly toothed glossy deep green foliage is demure but sets a great stage for masses of violet blue small flowers with a more distinct red eye. Blooms continuously from Spring to late summer. To 8″ tall and about 2′ across for rich, well drained soil in full sun to light shade. Cute understory for Roses, mixes well in the front of a border, on sunny hillsides. Creates a haze of violet blue rather than a carpet. Cut back hard after blooming for an emergence of new handsome foliage for autumn/winter. Easy to grow long blooming plant.
Genus: Parahebe
Parahebe cattaractae ‘Miss Wilmott’
Long, long, blooming elegant little evergreen perennial that supplies clouds of white flowers with a prominent plum colored eye. This low growing plant to 10″ tall can spread to 2′ wide in time. Blooms appear from spring to mid summer. The evergreen foliage is handsome for the rest of the year. Full sun and rich, well drained soil with light but consistent summer water. If it gets a bit straggly with time simply cut back 3/4 of the plant in early spring and make sure to water and add a handful of all purpose organic foliage. Very easy to grow in rock garden conditions or the front of a border.
Parahebe perfoliata (Derwentia perfoliata)
“It looks like a Eucalyptus!!! Well yes this evergreen trailing perennial does possess perfoliate round leaves that wrap around the stem. To 30” tall upright and then sprawling. In mid summer soft periwinkle lilac flower spikes appear and are showy for weeks. Full sun and rich, well drained soil. Forms an expanding clump. Unique perennial endemic to Tasmania and closely related to Hebes. Tired bedraggled plants may be cut to the ground in early spring to regrow. Mulch in fall. Light, regular summer water. Aka ‘Digger’s Speedwell’ Combine with larger perennials which can act as standards holding it when it flops. The more sun the less flopping. Evergreen to about 15ºF but resprouts from the base if frozen. Fun and easy to grow.