Hebe 'Rhubarb and Custard' (Hebe 'Rhubarb and Custard')

Botanical name

Hebe 'Rhubarb and Custard'

Other names

Hebe 'Rhubarb and Custard', Shrubby veronica 'Rhubarb and Custard', Hebe 'Rhubarb & Custard'

Genus

Hebe Hebe

Variety or Cultivar

'Rhubarb and Custard' _ 'Rhubarb and Custard' is a compact, bushy, evergreen shrub with small, glossy, oval, pink-flushed, dark green leaves with irregular cream to pale yellow margins. Leaf tips and margins turn deep reddish-pink in cold weather. Compact, dense, racemes of violet flowers bloom in late spring and early summer.

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Bushy, Compact

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Colour

Flower

Violet in Spring; Violet in Summer

Foliage

Flushed red in Winter; Dark-green, Cream, Variegated, Flushed pink in All seasons

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Aphids , Tortrix moth

Specific diseases

Downy mildew , Leaf spot

General care

Pruning

If pruned immediately after flowering, may produce a second flush of flowers later in the season.

Propagation methods

Semi-hardwood cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Hebe 'Rhubarb and Custard' (Hebe 'Rhubarb and Custard') will reach a height of 0.6m and a spread of 0.6m after 5-10 years.

Suggested uses

Banks and Slopes, City, Coastal, Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Containers

Cultivation

Plant in moist but well-drained or well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Tolerates some pollution. Protect in winter in cold areas.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

North, South, East, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Hebe 'Rhubarb and Custard' (Hebe 'Rhubarb and Custard')

Common pest name

Alfalfa dwarf; Anaheim disease; California vine disease; Dwarf disease of alfalfa; Dwarf disease of lucerne; Leaf scald of oleander; Leaf scald of plum; Leaf scorch; Phony disease of peach; Pierce's disease of grapevine; Variegated chlorosis of citrus

Scientific pest name

Xylella fastidiosa subsp. multiplex

Type

Bacterium

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

A bacterial disease with a wide host range detected in Corsica. Although EU regulated; there remains some concern about the risk of introduction. This subspecies is known to be able to thrive in cooler climates. Should an outbreak occur; there would be a need for eradication action which would result in environmental and social impacts.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/