Hebe 'Purple Pixie' (syn. Hebe Mohawk) is a shrubby type of Veronica and although I have now planted a generally herbaceous type of border, replacing what was once a rather unsuccessful rose border, I don't mind planting very small shrubs in it. The colours are really vibrant and it has been adorned with striking purple flowers for a few weeks already and is just now starting to fade a little. This would make a beautiful low hedge for milder climates.
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| Hebe Mohawk 'Purple Pixie' - a shrubby type of Veronica |
The label says that Hebe 'Purple Pixie' forms a rounded shrub and bears a profusion of pixie-purple flowers from late spring to the first frosts of winter. The mid-green leaves stay on the plant all year. It is hardy to -5C. It likes a sunny spot in fertile well-drained soil and a achieves a height and spread of 50cm (2ft). It is a source of food for bees and butterflies in early summer. It can be trimmed lightly in early spring to remove old flower heads and to maintain a rounded shape.
I believe that a good reason for removing the flower heads in spring rather than late autumn/winter is because the remaining foliage and stems afford some protection from cruel winter temperatures to the heart of the plant. Although last winter was relatively mild here on the Pennine Mountains, I shall have to watch the temperatures this winter. The Penstemons too may need some protection.
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| Individual flowers of Hebe 'Purple Pixie' (syn. Mohawk) with stamens protruding |
You can see in the above macro photograph how the pollinating insects can access the heart of the hebe flowers quite easily.
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| Red anthers of the Hebe 'Purple Pixie' (macro photo) |