compact form for the garden borders

Size
Height: 0.3–0.5 m, Spread: 0.5–1 m, compact rounded dome
Lifespan
10–15 years
Diet
Photosynthetic. Draws energy from sunlight. Obtains nutrients from well-drained soils.
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. Garden cultivar of hybrid origin derived from alpine hebe species. Widely grown for compact form.
Endemism
Endemic
Main Threats
No significant conservation threats as cultivated variety. Not applicable to wild populations. Hardy and pest-resistant in garden settings.
Population
This is garden cultivar not wild species. Widely grown in New Zealand gardens for compact form and bright foliage. No formal conservation assessment exists.
Conservation Status
Not Threatened
Human Risk
harmless
Handling Note
native shrub, safe to handle
Conservation Note
Cultivar of endemic shrub; widespread in cultivation and gardens.
Assessment
NZTCS Vascular Plants (2023)
Te Ao Māori
This cultivar selected for compact, dome-shaped growth and prolific flowering. Named Jasper after semi-precious stone referring to gem-like appearance. Favourite for small gardens and alpine plantings. No traditional Māori significance as modern cultivar. Represents beauty of New Zealand's alpine plants adapted for garden use.
It is not wild. Hebe speciosa 'Jasper' is compact, alpine-style hebe. Forms tight, rounded dome of bright green foliage. Plant that looks like green jewel. Leaves are small, oval-shaped, and glossy. Densely packed along stems. Overall shape is perfect dome. Requires no pruning to maintain form. Colour is bright, cheerful green. Stands out against darker foliage. Plant that does not need gardener. Plant produces masses of small white flowers in spring and summer. Flowers are small but numerous. Cover dome in white blanket. Attract bees and butterflies which feed on nectar. Followed by small capsules containing seeds. Plant that feeds pollinators. Hebe Jasper is extremely hardy. Tolerates drought, frost, wind and coastal conditions. Perfect for rock gardens, borders and containers. Neat, dome-shaped form provides structure and interest. Dense, neat growth requires little pruning. Low-maintenance choice. Plant that takes care of itself. Cultivar selected for compact, dome-shaped growth and prolific flowering. Named Jasper after semi-precious stone. Referring to gem-like appearance. Bright green foliage and white flowers combine to create jewel of plant. To find Hebe Jasper is to look in rock gardens and alpine plantings. Plant of cultivation, not of wild. Neat, rounded dome of bright green foliage looks like green jewel in garden. Rock garden is still. Hebe sits in its dome. Green and perfect. Covered in white flowers. Does not know it was bred in garden. Does not know it has name. It just grows. That is what it was made to do. No one told it otherwise.