hebe jasper with dark foliage and deep purple flower spikes

Size
Height: 0.3–0.5 m, Spread: 0.5–1 m, compact rounded dome
Lifespan
10–15 years
Diet
Not applicable (shrub). Photosynthetic.
Habitat
Gardens, rock gardens, alpine plantings, borders and containers. Prefers well-drained soils with full sun. Tolerates drought, wind, frost and coastal conditions.
Range
Cultivated throughout New Zealand. A garden cultivar of hybrid origin, derived from alpine hebe species. Widely grown for its compact form and bright foliage.
Endemism
Introduced
Main Threats
No significant conservation threats as this is a cultivated variety. Not applicable to wild populations. Hardy and pest-resistant in garden settings. Tolerates drought, wind, frost and coastal conditions.
Population
This is a garden cultivar, not a wild species. It is widely grown in New Zealand gardens for its compact form and bright foliage. No formal conservation assessment exists for this cultivar.
Conservation Status
Introduced
A compact, alpine-style hebe forming a tight, rounded dome of bright green foliage. A plant that looks like a green jewel. The leaves are small, oval-shaped, and glossy, densely packed along the stems. The overall shape is a perfect dome, requiring no pruning to maintain its form. The colour is a bright, cheerful green that stands out against darker foliage. A plant that does not need a gardener. The plant produces masses of small white flowers in spring and summer. The flowers are small but numerous, covering the dome in a white blanket. They attract bees and butterflies, which feed on the nectar. The flowers are followed by small capsules containing the seeds. A plant that feeds the pollinators. Hebe Jasper is extremely hardy, tolerating drought, frost, wind and coastal conditions. It is perfect for rock gardens, borders and containers, where its neat, dome-shaped form provides structure and interest. The dense, neat growth requires little pruning, making it a low-maintenance choice. A plant that takes care of itself. The cultivar was selected for its compact, dome-shaped growth and prolific flowering. It is named Jasper after the semi-precious stone, referring to its gem-like appearance. The bright green foliage and white flowers combine to create a jewel of a plant. To find Hebe Jasper is to look in rock gardens and alpine plantings. It is a plant of cultivation, not of the wild. The neat, rounded dome of bright green foliage looks like a green jewel in the garden. The rock garden is still. The hebe sits in its dome, green and perfect, covered in white flowers. It does not know it was bred in a garden. It does not know it has a name. It just grows. That is what it was made to do.