Hebe Franciscana "Large Shrubby Veronica" 2.5Liter

🌿 Hebe × franciscana – Large Shrubby Veronica

Botanical Name: Hebe × franciscana
Common Names: Large Shrubby Veronica, Franciscana Hebe, Evergreen Veronica, Hebe Bush

📌 Product Description

Hebe × franciscana, commonly known as Large Shrubby Veronica, is a vigorous, evergreen shrub valued for its broad, glossy green leaves and tall spikes of lilac to pale purple flowers. Flowering generously from late spring through summer, it provides bold seasonal colour while maintaining year-round structure.

Larger and more robust than many compact Hebe varieties, this cultivar is well suited to informal hedges, mixed shrub borders, and coastal gardens. Its strong growth and wind tolerance make it particularly reliable in exposed South African landscapes.

📏 Size When Fully Grown

• Height: 1.5 – 2 m
• Spread: 1.2 – 1.8 m
• Growth Habit: Upright, bushy evergreen shrub
• Growth Rate: Moderate to fast

🌱 Best Growing Conditions

• Light: Full sun to light partial shade (best flowering in full sun)
• Soil: Well-drained soil; tolerates sandy and slightly poor soils
• Water:
  • Moderate watering during establishment
  • Fairly drought-tolerant once established
• Feeding: Compost or balanced fertiliser in spring
• Maintenance:
  • Prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape
  • Can be trimmed into an informal hedge

🌦️ Planting & Growing Season (South Africa)

• Best Planting Time: Autumn or spring
• Flowering Season: Late spring to summer
• Growing Season: Spring and summer
• Climate Suitability: Coastal and temperate regions
• Frost Tolerance: Tolerates light frost; protect in severe frost areas

🌼 Additional Benefits

• Taller variety ideal for screening
• Attractive lilac-purple flower spikes
• Evergreen foliage year-round
• Wind and coastal tolerant
• Attracts bees and pollinators

🌿 Ideal Uses

✔ Informal hedge or screen
✔ Coastal gardens
✔ Mixed shrub borders
✔ Background planting