edges the coastal garden with colour

Size
Height: 0.4–0.6 m, Spread: 0.6–1 m, compact bun-shaped
Lifespan
10–15 years
Diet
Photosynthetic. Draws energy from sunlight. Obtains nutrients from well-drained soils.
Habitat
Gardens, borders, mass plantings and coastal gardens. Prefers well-drained soils with full sun. Tolerates drought, wind, frost and coastal conditions.
Range
Cultivated throughout New Zealand. Garden cultivar of hybrid origin. Widely grown for distinctive coloured foliage and 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 distinctive coloured 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 distinctive red-edged foliage. Named Red Edge for this feature. Red colour intensifies in winter providing year-round interest. Favourite for adding colour contrast to garden plantings. No traditional Māori significance as modern cultivar. Represents beauty of foliage plants bringing colour and texture to garden.
It does not inhabit the wild exclusively. Hebe speciosa 'Red Edge' is compact, bun-shaped hebe. Known for striking foliage. Shrub that wears colours on edges. Small, grey-green leaves edged with red. Creating beautiful contrast that intensifies in cooler months. Leaves are oval-shaped. Up to 2 centimetres long. Slightly fuzzy texture. Red edge most pronounced in winter. Cooler temperatures bring out colour. Plant that saves best for cold. Plant produces masses of small, white flowers in summer. Flowers are small but numerous. Covering bun-shaped shrub in white blanket. Attractive to bees and butterflies. Followed by small capsules containing seeds. Plant that blooms when weather warms. Hebe Red Edge is extremely hardy. Tolerates drought, frost, wind and coastal conditions. Perfect for borders, mass plantings and coastal gardens. Coloured foliage provides interest even when not in flower. Plant that does not need to bloom to be beautiful. Cultivar selected for distinctive red-edged foliage. Named Red Edge for this feature. Red colour intensifies in winter. Providing year-round interest in garden. Plant requires little maintenance. Keeping neat, bun-shaped form without pruning. To find Hebe Red Edge is to look in gardens and borders throughout New Zealand. Plant of cultivation, not of wild. Grey-green leaves with red edges stand out against green. Flash of colour in winter garden. Border is still. Hebe sits. Grey-green leaves edged with red. Waiting for summer. Does not know it is named for edges. Does not know it is cultivar. It just grows. That is what it was made to do. No one told it otherwise.