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(Veronica rakaiensis)
Rakai Hebe (Veronica rakaiensis)
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Alan Pascoe
CC BY-SA 3.0
Image By:
Alan Pascoe
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Copyright:
CC BY-SA 3.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Alan Pascoe | License Type: CC BY-SA 3.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0 | Uploader: Alan Pascoe | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Veronica rakaiensis, commonly known as Rakai Hebe, is an evergreen shrub native to the rocky, alpine and subalpine regions of New Zealand, where it thrives in well-drained, gravelly soils. It typically grows to a height of 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters) and a width of 3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 meters), forming a dense, rounded mound. The plant is characterized by its glossy, dark green leaves and its clusters of white flowers that bloom from late spring to early summer, adding a long-lasting display of color to the garden. The flowers are particularly attractive to bees and butterflies.
Rakai Hebe is valued for its low maintenance requirements and its ability to provide year-round interest in the garden due to its evergreen foliage and extended flowering period. It is suitable for a variety of uses, including rock gardens, border fronts, and as a ground cover. This shrub prefers full sun to part shade and requires well-drained soil, tolerating both medium and fast drainage conditions. While it is drought-tolerant once established, it benefits from regular watering during prolonged dry spells. It has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit, indicating its exceptional performance in gardens.CC BY-SA 4.0
Rakai Hebe is valued for its low maintenance requirements and its ability to provide year-round interest in the garden due to its evergreen foliage and extended flowering period. It is suitable for a variety of uses, including rock gardens, border fronts, and as a ground cover. This shrub prefers full sun to part shade and requires well-drained soil, tolerating both medium and fast drainage conditions. While it is drought-tolerant once established, it benefits from regular watering during prolonged dry spells. It has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit, indicating its exceptional performance in gardens.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Shrub
- Height: 2-3 feet
- Width: 3-4 feet
- Growth Rate: Slow
- Flower Color: White
- Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Groundcover, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Salt Tolerant
Natural Habitat
Native to rocky, alpine and subalpine regions of New Zealand
Other Names
Common Names: Shrubby Veronica
Scientific Names: , Hebe rakaiensis, Veronica rakaiensis, Hebe scott-thomsonii,
GBIF Accepted Name: Veronica rakaiensis J.B.Armstr.