Maintenance Landscaping Design

Hebe heartbreaker is a beautiful plant that is perfect for adding a touch of elegance to any garden. The plant has long, slender leaves that are a deep green color. The flowers of the hebe heartbreaker are a deep purple color and they bloom in the summer.

Popular name

• Love-Lies-Bleeding
  
• Red Amaranth
  
• Love-in-a-Mist
  
• Nasturtium
  
• Phlox

Basic info

• Hebe is a genus of plants in the family Plantaginaceae.
  
• There are about 100 species of Hebe.
  
• Hebes are native to New Zealand, Australia, Chile, and Uruguay.
  
• The name Hebe comes from the Greek word meaning "youth" or "prime of life".
  
• Hebes are evergreen shrubs or small trees.
  
• Hebes are grown for their ornamental value, and many cultivars have been developed.
  
• Hebes are generally low-maintenance plants and are often used in landscaping.
  
• Some Hebe species are considered invasive in some parts of the world.
  
• Hebes are a food source for many animals, including bees, birds, and lizards.
  
• Hebes are also used in traditional medicine for a variety of purposes.

Related plant:
Hebe Veronica

Planting Process

1. For hebe heartbreaker, first step is to grow the plant from seed. You will need to start the seeds indoors in late winter or early spring.
   
2. Sow the seeds on the surface of a well-drained seed-starting mix. Do not cover the seeds, as they need light to germinate.
   
3. Place the seed-starting tray in a warm location and keep the soil moist.
   
4. The seeds will germinate in 7-14 days.
   
5. Once the seedlings emerge, transplant them into 4-inch pots filled with a well-drained potting mix.
   
6. Set the pots in a sunny location and water them regularly, keeping the soil moist but not soggy.
   
7. Fertilize the plants every 2-3 weeks with a half-strength balanced fertilizer.
   
8. In late spring or early summer, when the plants are 4-6 inches tall, transplant them into the garden.
   
9. Space the plants 12-18 inches apart in an area that receives full sun.
   
10. Water the plants deeply once a week, more often if the weather is hot and dry.

Related plant:
Hebe Shrub

Soil Condition

About soil condition, Hebe heartbreaker grows best in moist but well-drained soil, in full sun to partial shade. It is not particularly fussy about soil type but it does prefer a slightly acidic to neutral soil. It will tolerate clay soils as long as they are not waterlogged.

Light condition

So, like the other succulents, Hebe Heartbreaker needs bright sun to thrive. If you live in a hot climate, this plant can handle full sun all day long. If you live in a cooler climate, it's best to give Hebe Heartbreaker 4 to 6 hours of direct sun each day.

Good Temperature

The temperature condition inside the Hebe heartbreaker is quite cool. Most of the time, the temperature remains around 10 degrees Celsius. However, there are times when the temperature rises to 20 degrees Celsius. This usually happens when the sun is out for a long time.

Humidity Level

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is between 40-60%. If the humidity drops below 40%, the leaves will start to dry out and turn brown. If the humidity goes above 60%, the leaves will start to drop off.

Fertilizer Requirement

Regarding fertilizer, this type of plant does best with a light application of a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10. Be sure to follow the package directions carefully. too much fertilizer can harm the plant. Root rot is a common problem with heartbreaker plants, so be sure to plant them in well-draining soil. If the soil is too wet, the roots will rot.

About light

Pruning is an important part of keeping your hebe heartbreaker plant healthy and looking its best. Prune back any dead or dying branches to encourage new growth. You can also lightly prune the plant to shape it as desired. Be sure to prune early in the growing season so the plant has time to recover before winter.

The Propagation

Propagation is the process of creating new plants from existing ones. Hebe heartbreakers are easily propagated from cuttings taken from healthy plants. Cuttings should be taken from new growth, and each cutting should have at least two leaves. Cuttings can be placed in a pot filled with moist potting mix, and they should be kept in a warm, bright location. Once the cuttings have rooted, they can be transplanted into individual pots.

Growth Speed

Usually, the plant growth rate is determined by the environment in which they are grown. However, some cultivars have been bred to have a faster growth rate than others. In general, hebes prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They are relatively drought tolerant once established.

Basic Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are that the leaves can fall off and the stems can break. The leaves can also turn brown and die. If the plant is not getting enough light, the leaves will turn yellow. If the plant is getting too much light, the leaves will turn red.

Growing Tips

• Do not forget to water your plant.
  
• Give it plenty of light, but not direct sunlight.
  
• Feed it regularly with a balanced fertilizer.
  
• Prune it regularly to encourage new growth.
  
• Keep an eye out for pests and diseases.
  
• Repot it regularly to ensure it doesn't become pot bound.
  
• Keep it well watered during the growing season.
  
• Cut it back in late winter to encourage new growth in spring.
  
• Give it plenty of room to grow.
  
• Enjoy your beautiful plant!

Alternative Plants

• Hemerocallis hybrid 'Daylily Heartbreaker'
  
• Hebe rakaiensis subsp. rakaiensis, common name Rakai hebe, is a subspecies of Hebe rakaiensis.
  
• Hebe rakaiensis subsp. rakaiensis - Rakai hebe
  
• Hebe pinguifolia subsp. pinguifolia, common name pingao, is a subspecies of Hebe pinguifolia.
  
• Hebe pinguifolia subsp. pinguifolia - pingao
  
• Hebe macrantha,common name large-flowered hebe or mountain hebe, is a species of hebe endemic to the South Island of New Zealand.
  
• Hebe macrantha - large-flowered hebe or mountain hebe
  
• Hebe macrantha var. purpurascens

Source:
Heartbreaker – Harvard Gazette
Hebe Statue | College History | Wheaton College | Massachusetts
Dr Hebe M H Wong - City University of Hong Kong