Shrubby Veronica Hebe 'Silver Queen' (v)
ABOUT
Hebe 'Silver Queen' is a striking evergreen shrub distinguished by its attractive foliage and flowers. The plant features variegated leaves that have a silver edge bordering a green center, giving it the 'Silver Queen' nickname. These leaves are glossy and oval-shaped, often presenting a lush and dense appearance that adds texture to the landscape. During its blooming period, it produces spikes of delicate flowers. The blooms are small and tubular, commonly in shades of lilac, purple, or white, which add a splash of color against the contrasting silver and green foliage. The flowers are typically clustered at the tips of the branches, creating an eye-catching display. The overall form of the Hebe 'Silver Queen' is neat and rounded, with a bushy habit that contributes to its popularity in garden design. Its aesthetic makes it a suitable choice for garden borders, decorative containers, or as a stand-alone feature within a garden setting. With its year-round appeal, this plant provides interest due to the variegated leaves, along with seasonal beauty when it flowers. The combination of the leaf coloration and the seasonal flowers make the Hebe 'Silver Queen' a favorite among gardeners seeking plants with visual impact and minimal maintenance.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Plantaginaceae
Synonyms
Shrubby Veronica, Hebe
Common names
Hebe 'Silver Queen' (v)
ToxicityTo humans
Hebe is generally considered to be non-toxic to humans. There is little information regarding their toxicity, and they are not commonly known to cause adverse effects if ingested. However, as with any plant, individual allergies or sensitivities could potentially cause a reaction. If any parts of the plant are ingested and adverse symptoms occur, medical advice should be sought.
To pets
Hebe is not known to be toxic to pets. It is not typically listed on toxic plant lists for animals such as dogs and cats, and there is limited evidence of it causing harm. However, it is always prudent to prevent pets from eating plants, as individual reactions could occur, and ingesting non-food items could potentially lead to gastrointestinal upset or other complications. If you suspect your pet has ingested Hebe and is showing adverse symptoms, consult your veterinarian.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Variegated
Flower color
Lilac
Height
3 feet (0.91 meters)
Spread
3 feet (0.91 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
8
Native area
New Zealand
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Value: Hebe 'Silver Queen' offers year-round visual interest with its variegated foliage and attractive flower spikes.
- Low Maintenance: This plant is known for being easy to care for, requiring minimal pruning and attention.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, it can cope with periods of dryness, making it suitable for low-water gardens.
- Compact Size: 'Silver Queen' generally remains small to medium in size, making it ideal for borders, pots, or small garden spaces.
- Wildlife Attraction: The flowers can attract beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies to the garden.
- Evergreen: As an evergreen shrub, it provides year-round color and structure in the garden or landscape.
- Cold Resistance: The plant has a good level of resistance to cooler temperatures, tolerating light frosts.
- Soil Adaptability: It can grow in a range of soil types, though it prefers well-drained conditions.
- Versatility: 'Silver Queen' can be used in various garden designs, including formal gardens, cottage gardens, and coastal landscapes.
- Wind Resistant: Its sturdy nature makes it suitable for exposed sites and coastal areas where wind may be an issue.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- As a live painting palette: Plant enthusiasts can use the Hebe 'Silver Queen' to create a 'live painting' by planting them in patterns that imitate brush strokes in a garden canvas.
- In crafting miniature fairy gardens: Its compact size and colorful foliage make it an excellent addition to whimsical fairy garden designs.
- For bonsai art: With its woody stems and manageable growth habit, the Hebe 'Silver Queen' can be trained into a bonsai form for enthusiasts of the art.
- As a photography backdrop: The plant's variegated leaves can provide an attractive background for close-up photography of insects and other small subjects.
- For creating garden borders: They can be used as a natural, living edge to delineate different sections of a garden or to border pathways.
- As a tool for teaching botany: Its unique foliage coloration serves as an example to teach about plant variegation in educational settings.
- In pet-safe landscaping: Being non-toxic, it's suitable for gardens where pets are present, ensuring their safety while outdoors.
- For culinary decoration: Although not edible, its leaves can be used to add decorative flair to platters and dishes during special events.
- Incorporated in sensory gardens: The texture of the 'Silver Queen's' leaves can be included in gardens designed to stimulate the sense of touch.
- As an ecological art material: The branches and leaves can be used by eco-friendly artists in creating natural art pieces or installations.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Hebe plant is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Hebe plant is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Youth: The genus Hebe is named after the Greek goddess of youth, symbolizing freshness and vigor.
- Evergreen: As an evergreen plant, the Hebe 'Silver Queen' represents immortality and eternal life.
- Elegance: With its variegated foliage, the plant is often associated with sophistication and elegance.
- Protection: In some traditions, evergreen plants like the Hebe 'Silver Queen' are believed to ward off evil and provide protection.
WaterThe Hebe 'Silver Queen', also known as Shrubby Veronica, should be watered thoroughly, allowing the water to soak in rather than just wetting the surface. It's generally recommended to water this plant once a week, with adjustments made for rainfall and changes in weather conditions. During the growing season, approximately 16 to 24 ounces of water per week is sufficient, but you should let the soil dry out between watering to prevent root rot. In hot, dry periods, you may need to water more frequently, while in cooler, wetter conditions, you might water less.
LightShrubby Veronica thrives in full sun to partial shade. The ideal location offers morning sunlight with some afternoon shade, especially in hot climates, to prevent the foliage from getting scorched. Avoid deep shade, as this will hinder the plant's flowering and may cause leggy growth.
TemperatureShrubby Veronica does best in a temperature range between 50°F and 70°F. It can survive slight frost and temperatures down to approximately 20°F but may suffer damage if temperatures dip below this point. Conversely, it can handle temperatures up to around 80°F, but excessive heat can be stressful for the plant without adequate water and shade.
PruningShrubby Veronica benefits from pruning to maintain its shape and encourage bushier growth. Prune the plant lightly in the spring, removing dead or damaged branches and shaping as necessary. After flowering, trim back flower stalks to keep the plant looking tidy and to possibly encourage a second bloom.
CleaningAs needed
SoilHebe 'Silver Queen' thrives in well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH, roughly between 6.0 to 7.0. A mix of loamy soil amended with peat moss or compost can enhance drainage and nutrient content. Perlite or pumice can be added to further improve aeration and prevent waterlogging.
RepottingThe 'Silver Queen' hebe should be repotted every 2 to 3 years or when it outgrows its current pot. Use a slightly larger pot to give the roots room to grow and fresh soil mix to replenish nutrients.
Humidity & Misting'Silver Queen' hebes prefer moderate humidity levels but are quite adaptable to different conditions. They can tolerate the average indoor humidity found in homes. There's no need for additional humidity measures unless the air is extremely dry.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light and avoid overwatering.
Outdoor
Plant in partial shade, shelter from harsh winds.
Hardiness zone
7-10 USDA
Life cycleHebe 'Silver Queen' (variegated hebe) begins as a seed, which when sown, germinates to produce a small seedling. The seedling grows into a young plant, developing a set of true leaves and eventually a woody stem. As it matures, the variegated hebe bush develops a dense foliage of silver-edged, green leaves and reaches flowering maturity, usually producing small purple or white flowers in the summer months. After pollination, the flowers produce seed capsules, allowing for dispersal and potential growth of new plants. The variegated hebe is a perennial, with the lifecycle from germination to seed production capable of recurring for several years. The plant eventually ages and, without proper care or due to harsh environmental conditions, may enter a decline phase, leading to the end of its life cycle.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The most popular method of propagation for Hebe 'Silver Queen' is through semi-ripe cuttings. This process is usually done in late summer. Gardeners should select healthy, new growth shoots that have started to harden but are not yet fully mature. These cuttings should be about 2 to 3 inches (approximately 5 to 7.5 centimeters) long. The lower leaves are stripped off, and the cut end is often dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root growth. The cutting is then placed in a mixture of potting soil and perlite or vermiculite and kept under high humidity and indirect light until roots develop, which typically takes a few weeks. Once rooted, the young plants can be potted on and eventually planted out in the garden.
