Hebe 'Heartbreaker'

Description and Characteristics

Hebe ‘Heartbreaker’ is a standout compact evergreen shrub, admired for its striking variegated foliage and colourful seasonal changes. The narrow, lance-shaped leaves are green with creamy-white margins, and during colder months, the foliage takes on a vibrant pink to deep crimson flush, creating stunning winter interest. This colour shift makes ‘Heartbreaker’ one of the most ornamental Hebes year-round.

In late spring to early summer, it produces small spikes of purple-lavender flowers, which rise gently above the foliage and attract pollinators. Naturally forming a dense, bushy mound, it reaches around 40–50 cm in height and 50–60 cm in spread, making it ideal for borders, containers, low hedging, and front-of-border structure.

This hebe is especially well-suited to modern garden designs, winter displays, and coastal or urban planting schemes, where foliage contrast and form are prized.

• Evergreen shrub with cream-margined green leaves, flushed bright pink-red in winter

• Produces purple flower spikes in late spring to early summer

• Height: 40–50 cm; Spread: 50–60 cm

• Compact, mounded growth habit—perfect for edging and containers

• Year-round interest, especially during autumn and winter

• Attracts bees and butterflies during its flowering season

Growing Conditions and Maintenance

Hebe ‘Heartbreaker’ is a low-maintenance shrub that thrives in sunny, well-drained conditions and benefits from occasional pruning to keep its compact form. It performs well in containers and borders alike.

• Light Requirements:

  • Prefers full sun for brightest winter foliage colour

  • Tolerates light shade, especially in hot or windy locations

• Soil Preferences:

  • Grows best in well-drained, moderately fertile soil

  • Tolerates sandy, loamy, and chalky soils

  • Avoid waterlogged or heavy clay soils—add grit if needed

• Watering Needs:

  • Water regularly during the establishment period

  • Once mature, moderately drought-tolerant

  • For containers, keep soil moist but not soggy

• Feeding:

  • Apply a general-purpose fertiliser in early spring

  • Container plants benefit from monthly feeding in the growing season

• Pruning and Maintenance:

  • Lightly trim after flowering to maintain shape and bushiness

  • Deadhead spent flowers to tidy the plant if desired

  • Avoid cutting into old wood, which may not reshoot

• Winter Care:

  • Hardy to approximately -5°C to -10°C (RHS H4–H5)

  • In colder areas or exposed sites, apply a mulch at the base or use fleece for protection

  • Container-grown plants can be overwintered in a sheltered porch or cold frame

Garden Uses, Companions, and Pollinator Value

Hebe ‘Heartbreaker’ brings seasonal colour, evergreen texture, and compact form to both traditional and contemporary planting schemes. Its reliable year-round interest makes it ideal for small spaces and year-round containers.

• Design Applications:

  • Excellent for containers, patio pots, edging pathways, or front-of-border planting

  • Provides valuable winter colour and foliage contrast

  • Ideal for urban gardens, gravel gardens, and coastal sites

• Companion Plants:

  • Pairs well with heuchera, artemisia, euphorbia, erigeron, and compact ornamental grasses

  • Contrasts beautifully with silver, burgundy, or deep green foliage plants

  • Can be combined with other evergreen Hebes for mixed-texture borders

• Pollinator Benefits:

  • Flowers are a nectar source for bees, butterflies, and hoverflies

  • Valuable for pollinator pathways and wildlife gardens

  • Supports early-summer insects when many shrubs are not yet in bloom

• Container Use:

  • Perfect for pots, troughs, and mixed seasonal planters

  • Use a free-draining compost mix with added grit

  • Trim lightly after flowering to keep compact

• Pest and Disease Resistance:

  • Generally resistant to pests and diseases

  • Watch for root rot in poorly drained soil—ensure sharp drainage

  • May occasionally attract aphids or mildew in crowded or humid conditions

• Size
  2 Ltr pot

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

Click & Collect

Can’t wait for delivery? Why not try our FREE Click & Collect service? Simply make your purchase online and collect it from our store located in Croagh Co. Limerick. Our staff will contact you by phone when your order is ready for collection (Please allow 24 hours minimum). When collecting your item, call the store on 069-64084. We will then load into your car as required. This service is available in-store 9am – 6pm Monday – Saturday (No collections on Sundays)

Click here for more information about our shipping conditions.

You can pay your online order either by credit card or via Paypal.
If you have any further questions about the online order payment please contact us via ­069 640 84 or mail.