Hebejebes

richjamesturner · March 2021

Hi all,

Can anyone tell mw what is wrong with my hebes? I bought several varieties last year and most are doing great but this variety appears to be dying. I think its a purple shamrock.

I also planted 2x Rhubarb and Custard. They're looking a little bald on the lower branches (see 5th image below). Is this normal after winter?

Thank you!

Rich

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/ax/finb02oairyf.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/z0/9uf832frc15b.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/oc/bz5u8rskp43l.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/gm/c8hzd1wekx53.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/tp/xizog77j0bqb.jpg

Ceres · March 2021

Not all hebes are frost tolerant and this one may have been affected by the cold winter weather.

richjamesturner · March 2021

Thanks Ceres.. If that's the case is it likely to recover? Do I just trim back the dead stems to a healthy bud?

Ceres · March 2021

https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/popular/hebe/growing-guide There is also an RHS page on Purple Shamrock. Hebes aren't keen on drastic cutting back so just cut out the dead parts. They can last for years providing they don't get zapped by the weather. It was excess heat and drought that finally got mine.

Robert West · March 2021

Personally I would largely leave it alone for a while. Might still get more cold weather yet and you'll often find Hebes recover just fine given time. I'd wait till it's had a really good chance to grow back and then see what is actually dead.

Don't be surprised if it starts recovering lower down first. I've found they tend to start sprouting new growth from the bottom/lower down stems and slowly make their way up to the top of the plant.

Ignoring all advice I've chopped 3ft wide Hebes down to 6" dug them up, potted them up and then replanted them a few months later and within two years they're full size again. Out of five I've done that to only one (one of the tiny leaved ones) didn't make it. So they're actually quite tough.

richjamesturner · March 2021

Thanks Robert, that sounds like good advice. I'll give it some time and keep my fingers crossed.

Hebejebes

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