Hebe midsummer beauty is a bushy, evergreen shrub that is native to New Zealand. It has small, dark green leaves and clusters of small, white flowers that appear in summer.
Alternative name
- Hebe 'Midsummer Beauty'
- Hebe x andersonii 'Midsummer Beauty'
- Hebe 'Summer Beauty'
- Hebe x andersonii 'Summer Beauty'
- Hebe x andersonii
Basic info
- Hebe midsummer beauty is a cultivar of the Hebe genus that is known for its showy, long-lasting flowers.
- It is native to New Zealand and was first introduced to Europe in the early 1900s.
- The plant typically grows to be about 1-2 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide.
- Flowers are borne on spikes and range in color from white to pink to purple.
- Hebe midsummer beauty is best grown in full sun to partial shade and in well-drained soils.
- It is relatively drought tolerant once established and does not require a lot of fertilizer or care.
- Pests and diseases are not typically a problem for this plant.
- Hebe midsummer beauty makes an excellent addition to perennial gardens or as a standalone specimen plant.
- It can also be used in containers or for mass plantings.
- Flowers typically bloom from late spring to early summer but may re-bloom sporadically throughout the summer months.
Related plant:
Hebe Veronica
How to Grow
- For hebe midsummer beauty, first step is to find a good location which has well-drained soil and gets full sun to partial sun.
- The second step is to prepare the planting hole by digging it twice as large as the pot the hebe midsummer beauty is in.
- Third step is to remove the hebe midsummer beauty from its pot and gently loosen the roots.
- Fourth step is to place the hebe midsummer beauty in the planting hole and backfill with soil.
- Fifth step is to water the hebe midsummer beauty well.
- Sixth step is to apply a slow release fertilizer.
- Seventh step is to mulch around the hebe midsummer beauty.
- Eighth step is to prune the hebe midsummer beauty as needed.
- Ninth step is to monitor for pests and diseases.
- Tenth step is to enjoy your hebe midsummer beauty!
Related plant:
Hebe Odora
Considering the Soil
About soil condition, Hebe midsummer beauty prefers well-drained soil. It can grow in various soil types, including sandy, loamy and clay soils, but does best in sandy or gravelly soils. This plant is drought tolerant, but will benefit from occasional watering during prolonged dry periods. It is also tolerant of salt spray, making it a good choice for seaside gardens.
Light requirement
Similar to other Hebes, the 'Hebe Midummer Beauty' does best in full sun to partial shade. It will tolerate more shade than full sun, but it will likely not flower as much. This evergreen shrub prefers well-drained soil, but is adaptable to a variety of soil types. It is also tolerant of salt and wind, making it a good choice for coastal gardens.
Ideal Temperature
The temperature condition is perfect for the hebe midsummer beauty. The sun is shining and the breeze is blowing. The hebe midsummer beauty is blooming and the bees are buzzing. The flowers are fragrant and the colors are vibrant.
Humidity Requirement
Ideal humidity condition for this plant is between 40% to 60%. If the humidity is too low, the leaves will become dry and begin to brown. If the humidity is too high, the leaves will begin to yellow and drop off.
Fertilizing
About fertilizer, usually the plant need 3 main nutrient elements which are nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. For the "Midsummer Beauty", I recommend using a balanced fertilizer with 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 fertilizer ratio. It's better to use a water-soluble fertilizer, that can be mixed with water and applied directly to the roots.
About light
Pruning is an important part of keeping your Hebe Midsummer Beauty looking its best. Cut back any stems that have become leggy or overgrown. You can also prune to shape the plant, or to control its size.
About Propagating
Propagation is best done in late summer or early fall. Take cuttings from young, healthy stems about 4-6 inches long. Strip the leaves from the bottom half of the cutting and dip the stems in rooting hormone. Plant the cuttings in a well-drained potting mix and keep them moist. Rooting should occur in 4-6 weeks.
Plant Growth
Usually, the plant growth rate will be influenced by the amount of light and water the plant receives. If the plant is in full sun, it will grow faster than if it is in partial shade. The plant also needs to be well-watered, but too much water can lead to problems such as root rot.
The Problems
Common problems for this kind of plant are sunburn, dehydration, and nutrient deficiencies. Sunburn can happen if the plant is not used to being in full sun and gets too much sun too quickly. Dehydration can happen if the plant doesn't have enough water, causing the leaves to wilt and the plant to die. Nutrient deficiencies can happen if the plant isn't getting enough of the right nutrients, causing the leaves to yellow and the plant to become stunted.
Tips on Growing
- Make sure to plant your Hebe in an area that receives full sun to partial shade.
- Hebes prefer well-drained soil, so make sure to amend your soil with organic matter before planting.
- Water your Hebe regularly, especially when the plant is young. Once established, Hebes are quite drought tolerant.
- Hebes can be pruned back hard if necessary. This will encourage new growth and a fuller plant.
- Fertilize your Hebe regularly with a balanced fertilizer.
- Hebes are generally disease and pest resistant, but keep an eye out for aphids and scale.
- To encourage blooming, make sure to deadhead spent flowers.
- If you live in a colder climate, you may need to protect your Hebe over winter.
- Hebes can be propagated by rooting stem cuttings.
- The flowers of Hebe
Related Plants
- Hebe 'Hulkeana': Hebe 'Hulkeana', a cultivar also known as Hebe 'Midsummer Beauty', is a hybrid hebe produced by crossing Hebe salicifolia with Hebe speciosa.
- Hebe 'Hulkeana Variegata': Hebe 'Hulkeana Variegata', a form also known as Hebe 'Midsummer Beauty Variegata', sports similar foliage to Hebe 'Hulkeana' but with a white margin.
- Hebe 'Major': Unlike other similar plants, Hebe 'Major' is a native of New Zealand. It produces white flowers and it is one of the most widely grown hebes.
- Hebe 'Miss Wilmott': Hebe 'Miss Wilmott', a cultivar also known as Hebe 'Midsummer Beauty', is another one of the hybrids produced by crossing Hebe salic
Source:
Hebe | Landscape Plants | Oregon State University
Beauty Career International
Hebe - Washington State University
Reviewed & Published by Richelle
Submitted by our contributor
