Hebe 'Lavender Lace' is one of New Zealand's most free-flowering and dependable native hebe cultivars, and a plant that earns its keep in the garden with an exceptionally long and generous flowering season. Clusters of lavender-blue flowers are abundant from spring through to summer, and as the blooms age they fade to white creating a lovely two-toned effect across the whole bush that gives it a soft, romantic quality quite unlike any other native shrub. Each flower spike reaches approximately 7 cm long, and the plant produces them prolifically over a three-month period from summer to autumn.
Hebe Lavender lace
Botanical Name Hebe 'Lavender Lace' Synonym Hebe 'Boulder Lake' Common Name Lavender Lace Hebe Family Plantaginaceae Type Evergreen shrub Origin New Zealand cultivar — registered 1983; likely hybrid of H. divaricata or H. rigidula Mature Height Approximately 1.5 m Mature Spread Approximately 1.5 m Sun Requirements Full sun; tolerates part shade Soil Free-draining soil preferred Flowering Spring and summer — lavender flowers fading to white in branched racemes Wind Tolerance Good — tolerates exposed and coastal conditions Frost Tolerance Hardy once established Drought Tolerance Good — tolerates dry periods once established Growth Rate Moderate Maintenance Very low — light trim after flowering Conservation Status New Zealand cultivar Planting Tips: Plant in full sun on a well-drained, sheltered site for best results. 'Lavender Lace' is tolerant of frost, coastal conditions, cool climates, and dry periods. Space plants approximately 1–1.5 m apart for individual specimens, or 60–80 cm apart for mass planting or informal hedging. Water regularly through the first summer to establish, then reduce as the plant becomes self-sufficient.
Ideal Uses: Commonly included in a mixed planting, added to cottage gardens, maintained in a container, planted around outdoor living areas, or mass planted on a bank for a very effective display. Also excellent as an informal low hedge, wildlife garden planting, or standalone specimen where its long flowering season can be enjoyed up close.
Ongoing Care: A light prune after flowering each year is about all the care 'Lavender Lace' needs. Simply clip lightly after flowering to maintain a compact, tidy shape and encourage vigorous regrowth for the following season. A regular application of fertiliser in spring and autumn will support healthy growth and prolific flowering. Monitor for downy mildew in damp or poorly ventilated conditions, and ensure good drainage to prevent root rot.
