Parahebe

( pair - ah - HEE - bee )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of shrubby evergreen perennial plants needs full sun or light shade and regular water for best performance. These shrubs are known under the name Veronica, and are wonderful additions to gardens, grown for their colorful blooms and attractive foliage. These plants are used for trailing over walls, as interest in rock gardens, and at the front of border plantings. These shrubs form sprawling mounds of foliage that bear small flowers in white with red eyes or blue. Parahebe shrubs are hardy down to about 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

Parahebe Species and Varietals

The genera Parahebe and Veronica are related, and in some cases Parahebe species are known under their Veronica plant name. The genus Parahebe is currently categorized under the genus Veronica, which includes over 500 species. The plants listed below are still better known under their Parahebe moniker. These shrubs grow well in zones 5, 6, 15-17 and 20-24. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Parahebe catarractae (Veronica catarractae) (Waterfall Parahebe)
Native to New Zealand, this foot tall, two foot wide plant has white flowers with either blue or pink veining and red eyes. Stems will take root where they make contact with soil. Can be cut back if it gets leggy. Popular varieties include 'Avalanche' (with white flowers) and 'Delight' (blue flowers with a magenta interior).

Parahebe perfoliata (Veronica perfoliata, Derwentia perfoliata) (Digger's Speedwell)
This Australian native reaches 1.5-4 feet tall and 6 feet wide, with grey-green leaves that seem to wrap themselves around the branches. Deep blue flowers bloom in clusters at branch tips and upper leaf joints. Can be cut back nearly to the ground and will pop back once growth resumes.

Caring for and pruning parahebe shrubs

Plant these shrubs in full sun to light shade (they should be getting at least 4-6 hours of sun daily), and ensure that the soil is well-draining. Water regularly during the active growing season (spring through early fall), keeping the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged. During wintertime, lessen waterings, allowing the soil to dry out a bit before watering again. Avoid using overhead watering; this can cause issues with powdery mildew and other fungal diseases. These shrubs are not considered heavy feeders, but they can benefit from a feeding with a slow-release, balanced fertilizer in springtime to promote healthy new growth and flowering. Apply mulch around the base of the plant to increase soil moisture retention. These plants are damaged by frost, so it is a good idea to cover the plants if chilly temperatures are incoming. Frost damage can be trimmed off of the plant. Regular pruning will encourage a bushier habit; prune in springtime to remove dead or damaged growth, and during the growing season to cut back leggy or overgrown stems.

Propagation

Propagating Parahebe by Cutting
  1. Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
  2. In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
  3. Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
  4. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.

Problems and Pests

These shrubs are resistant to most diseases, and do not commonly suffer from pest issues. Keep an eye out for these common garden problems regardless:
  • Aphids
  • Mealybugs
  • Spider Mites
  • Root Rot
  • Powdery Mildew
  • Fungal Diseases
For more information on these issues, including how to eradicate them if they pop up, see the following links:
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Gallery

Use Parahebe as small, frontage shrubs to edge lawns.
These flowers are at home in informal or cottage gardens.
Plant these shrubs where their flowers can be admired from close-up.

Videos

How to propagate using cuttings, featuring Parahebe.

Resources

Veronica (Speedwell): How to Plant, Grow and Care for Veronica Plants
Wikipedia: Veronica (plant)
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Pages 474 - 475, Parahebe
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
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