Purple hebe is a beautiful flowering plant that is native to New Zealand. The flowers are a deep purple color and the plant grows to a height of about 3 feet. The leaves are dark green and the plant prefers to grow in full sun.
Related plant:
Leycesteria Formosa Purple Rain
Related plant:
Purple Evergreen Shrubs
About soil condition, purple hebe prefers well-drained soil, and tolerates a wide range of soils as long as they are not waterlogged. It will grow in heavier soils if given extra organic matter at planting time.
Like the other plants, the purple hebe needs sunlight to grow. The amount of sun required depends on the species of hebe, but most need at least four hours of sun each day. Too much sun can damage the leaves, so it's important to find a balance.
The temperature condition that is most ideal for purple hebe is one that is cool and moist. This plant is native to New Zealand and grows best in areas that have these conditions. Purple hebe can tolerate some sun, but too much sun will cause the leaves to scorch.
Ideal humidity condition for this plant is between 40 to 60%. If the humidity falls below 40%, the leaves of the plant will start to shrivel and the plant will become dormant. If the humidity rises above 60%, the leaves of the plant will start to yellow and the plant will become stressed.
The fertilizer, this kind of plant need is: 1. low in nitrogen 2. high in phosphorus 3. high in potassium. The ratio of N-P-K ( nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) should be something like 15-30-15. This will give the plant the nutrients it needs to grow strong and produce plenty of flowers. The roots of purple hebe need to be well-drained, so make sure the planting mix you use is light and airy. You can also improve drainage by mixing in some organic matter, such as compost or perlite.
Pruning your purple hebe is a necessary step in keeping your plant healthy and looking its best. Hebes are fast-growing shrubs, so they need to be pruned regularly to control their size and shape. When pruning your purple hebe, be sure to cut back the stems to just above a leaf node. This will help encourage new growth and keep your plant from getting too leggy.
Propagation is best done in spring, by taking cuttings from new growth. The cuttings should be about 10-15cm long, and have at least 2-3 sets of leaves. Place the cuttings in a pot filled with a well-drained, sandy soil mix, and water well. Place the pot in a warm, sunny spot, and keep the soil moist. The cuttings should root within 4-6 weeks. Once rooted, the plants can be transplanted into individual pots.
Usually, the plant growth rate is determined by the cultivar. 'Midsummer Beauty' and 'James Stirling' grow at about 1 foot per year, while 'Sutherlandii' grows a bit more slowly at about 6 inches per year. Most hebes prefer full sun, but will also tolerate partial shade. They need well-drained soil and are quite drought-tolerant once established.
Common problems for this kind of plant are leaf spot, powdery mildew, and root rot. These problems can be caused by several different fungi and bacteria. The best way to avoid these problems is to grow the plant in well-drained soil and to water it only when the soil is dry. If the plant does get one of these diseases, the best course of action is to remove the affected parts of the plant and to treat the plant with a fungicide or bactericide.
Source:
PURPLE PANTRY | News Services | ECU
Purple Alert Northwestern State University
Purple Pantry | Center for Leadership & Civic Engagement | ECU