graces the coastal mass plantings

Size
Height: 0.4–0.6 m, Spread: 0.6–1 m, compact spreading
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 to partial shade. Tolerates drought, wind, frost and coastal conditions.
Range
Cultivated throughout New Zealand. Bred at Auckland Botanic Gardens. Garden cultivar of hybrid origin. Widely grown for profuse flowering 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 profuse flowering and compact form. 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 bred at Auckland Botanic Gardens. Part of Wiri series of hebes. Named Wiri Grace for graceful, spreading habit and profuse flowering. One of most popular hebes in New Zealand gardens. No traditional Māori significance as modern cultivar. Represents success of New Zealand plant breeding creating beautiful, hardy plants for gardens around country.
It is not static. Hebe speciosa 'Wiri Grace' is popular, compact hebe. Covered in masses of small, white flowers from spring to summer. Flowers fade to soft pink as they age. Creating beautiful two-tone effect. White and pink blooms on same plant. Flowers are small but numerous. Covering shrub in soft, pastel blanket. Shrub that changes its mind about colour. Plant has small, glossy, dark green leaves. Provide rich background for flowers. Leaves are oval-shaped. Up to 2 centimetres long. Smooth, shiny surface. Stems are slender and branching. Forming compact, spreading shrub. Plant that knows how to frame a picture. Hebe Wiri Grace is extremely hardy. Tolerates drought, frost, wind and coastal conditions. Excellent for borders, mass plantings and coastal gardens. Long flowering season provides colour for months. Plant that does not complain about weather. Cultivar was bred at Auckland Botanic Gardens. Part of Wiri series of hebes. Group known for hardiness and profuse flowering. Named Wiri Grace for graceful, spreading habit and profuse flowering. Plant designed by people who knew what they wanted. To find Hebe Wiri Grace is to look in gardens and borders throughout New Zealand. Plant of cultivation, not of wild. Masses of white and pink flowers are soft cloud in garden. Graceful presence in border. Garden is quiet. Hebe blooms, white fading to pink. Covered in bees. Does not know it was bred in botanic garden. Does not know it has name. It just blooms. That is what it was made to do. It carries on regardless.