While most varieties of shrub veronica or Hebe are bought for their pretty flowers, the inconspicuously flowering varieties Green Globe and Hebe armstrongii are pure green plants. Hebe armstrongii is not hardy and is therefore only grown outdoors as an annual.
Is Hebe armstrongii hardy and how can it overwinter?
Hebe armstrongii is not hardy and should therefore only be grown outdoors as an annual. To care for the plant over the long term, it can overwinter in a pot in a frost-free place, such as a winter garden or basement window. During the winter it should be watered moderately and fertilized every two weeks.
Hebe armstrongii is not hardy
Unlike other Hebe varieties, this variety is only grown as an annual because the flowers are completely inconspicuous. There are a number of different varieties of Hebe armstrongii that differ in height.
Since this perennial is not hardy, it is only grown as an annual in the garden. Even with good winter protection, it cannot be overwintered outdoors.
If you want to maintain larger specimens of this variety for several years, plant them in a pot. Then you can overwinter this hebe in a frost-free place, for example:
- Basement window
- Entrance area
- Hallway window
- Garage
- Winter Garden
- Greenhouse
Hebe armstrongii overwinter properly
The hardy Hebe armstrongii occasionally survives a very mild winter without frost temperatures. In addition to the cold, the high soil moisture usually causes problems.
If you want to try overwintering Hebe armstrongii in the garden, protect the soil with a mulch of grass clippings or leaves. Cover the plants with brushwood or pine branches.
However, it is not possible to predict whether this Hebe variety will survive a winter, even if you have provided optimal winter protection.
Overwinter Hebe armstrongii in a pot
Grow Hebe armstrongii in the pot and ensure that the plant gets enough light. If there is too little light, the leaves of the perennial turn yellow. The humidity should not be too high. Ambient temperatures between five and ten degrees in the winter location are ideal.
Watere moderately so that the root ball never dries out completely. You can also fertilize Hebe every fortnight in winter.
After winter, take the perennial out of its winter quarters and slowly accustom it to higher temperatures. You may need to repot if the roots grow out of the top or bottom of the pot.
Tip
Hebe armstrongii can be planted very well as a bed border. It is increasingly being grown as a grave plant in cemeteries, where it replaces boxwood hedges.
