Hebe allanii

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 25cm

Eventual Spread: 25cm

Hardiness: 8b, 9a, 9b, 10

Family: Plantaginaceae

Hebe allanii, commonly known as Hebe, is an evergreen shrub with a bushy, domed habit. Hebe allanii is native to New Zealand. In its native habitat it grows on exposed rocky outcrops, open tussock grassland and within scrubby vegetation. Its thick grey/ green leaves are oval shaped and up to 2cm long. Its small white flowers appear as terminal spikes and are attractive to pollinating insects. Hebe allanii is tolerant of maritime conditions. Necessary pruning should be carried out after flowering.

Hebe allanii (18/11/12, Kew Gardens, London)

Hebe allanii Leaf (18/11/12, Kew Gardens, London)

Landscape Architecture

Euonymus vagans

Position: Partial shade

Flowering period: Summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 2m

Eventual Spread: 3m

Hardiness: 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11

Family: Celastraceae

Euonymus vagans, commonly known as Spindle, is an evergreen shrub with a bushy, spreading habit. Euonymus vagans is native to south China, Tibet, Nepal north east India, Laos and Myanmar. In its native habitat, Euonymus vagans grows in mixed woodlands and scrub. Its glossy dark green leaves are ovate. Its white flowers are small and insignificant. These are followed by orange/ red berries which persist on the plant during the winter months. Euonymus vagans is not widely available commercially in the UK.

Euonymus vagans (18/11/12, Kew Gardens, London)

Euonymus vagans Berry (18/11/12, Kew Gardens, London)

Landscape Architecture

Polygonum coriaceum

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Late summer to autumn

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 30cm

Eventual Spread: 40cm

Hardiness: 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Polygonaceae

Polygonum coriaceum is a semi evergreen herbaceous perennial with a spreading habit. Polygonum coriaceum is native to south west China and Tibet. Polygonum coriaceum is synonymous with Bistorta coriacea. In its native habitat it grows on grassy slopes and forest edges. Its mid green leaves are up to 14cm long. Its pink flowers appear on terminal spikes and are attractive to pollinating insects. Its roots are rhizomes, which aids its spread. Polygonum coriaceum is not widely available commercially in the UK.

Polygonum coriaceum (20/10/12, Kew Gardens, London)

Polygonum coriaceum Flower (20/10/12, Kew Gardens, London)

Landscape Architecture