Hebes

I once visited a Banks Peninsula headland garden whose gardener was in love with Hebes. She claimed to have one in flower for every single week of the year - this impressed me greatly. Since then I've been watching out for books about Hebes.

Hebes

Lawrie Metcalf

Months later, when Lawrie Metcalf's Hebe book was published, I saw the perfect chance to upskill myself. My knowledge of the lovely New Zealand shrubs called Hebes has been very hit and miss. I enjoy the species that I see in the New Zealand bush, and I grow many different types in my own garden, many anonymous. Lawrie Metcalf's book would give me a chance to get some decent knowledge.

Oops! This book is serious! It's titled as follows: Hebes - A Guide to Species, Hybrids, and Allied Genera. The language is horticulturally academic - but even an amateur lady-gardener can afford to learn some new words. I particularly liked reading about the species plants, and where in New Zealand they are naturally found - even naming the exact valley or mountain range.

Good Breeding?

The breeding programmes seemed more than a little more complicated, many garden hybrids having more than one name, and doubtful parentage. I found all my favourite Jack Hobbs Hebes like Wiri Mist mentioned, with glowing reports.

‘Aristocrats among ornamental shrubs.’

-Lawrie Metcalf.

This book makes me wish I had permanent little labels like I've seen in the Botanic gardens. I haven't a hope of identifying my Hebes from the coloured photographs! It's a great serious read - arm yourself with a good dictionary, and enjoy! The blurb on the inside cover calls Hebes aristocrats among ornamental shrubs, the definitive volume for gardeners, growers - and nurserymen. Oops - that last word looks wrong somehow...