Hebe ‘Rhubarb and Custard’ is a beautiful variety of evergreen shrub with a bushy, upright and compact nature. It will produce dark purple stems and striking, distinctive, small, oval leaves that turn from a variegated grey-green with cream margins into a flushed pink in colder weather. In the summer it will also grow short spikes of small purple flowers that will draw bees and other pollinators into the garden. This is supported by its inclusion in the RHS Plants for Pollinators collection.
Maturing to a height and spread of approximately 60cm, ‘Rhubarb and Custard’ will look eye-catching at the front of a summer border and is ideal for both city and informal cottage gardens. Its is low maintenance and will grow well in pots and even window boxes.
It thrives in full sun, but also tolerates light shade, in any soil that is moist but well drained. Add lots of organic matter and shelter from strong cold winds. Once established in the ground, it will only need watering in very dry conditions.
Details
- A Hebe ‘Rhubarb and Custard’ in a 2 litre nursery pot
- A member of the RHS Plants for Pollinators collection
- Flower colour: Purple
- Foliage colour: Grey, Green, Cream, Pink, Variegated
- Position: Full sun, Partial Shade
- Aspect: Any facing
- Soil moisture: Moist but well drained
- Soil pH: Alkaline, Neutral
- Hardiness: Hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK
- Flowering period: June to August
- Plant height: up to 60cm
- Plant width: up to 60cm