Hebe 'Rhubarb & Custard' – Planting & Care Guide

About Hebe 'Rhubarb & Custard'

Hebe 'Rhubarb & Custard' is a striking evergreen shrub grown for its colourful foliage and beautiful summer flowers. New growth emerges in vibrant shades of pink, red and cream before maturing to glossy green, creating year-round interest. During summer, the plant produces attractive spikes of soft lilac to pale purple flowers that are highly attractive to bees, butterflies and other pollinators.

With its compact, rounded habit, this eye-catching Hebe typically grows to around 60–90cm tall and wide, making it ideal for borders, containers, rockeries and coastal gardens. Its colourful foliage ensures it remains an attractive feature throughout every season, even when not in flower.

Planting Guide

• Plant in full sun or partial shade.
• Choose a sheltered location protected from strong, cold winds.
• Prefers fertile, well-drained soil.
• Suitable for loam, sandy and chalky soils.
• Improve heavy clay by adding compost and horticultural grit before planting.
• Dig a planting hole twice the width of the root ball and the same depth.
• Carefully remove the plant from its pot and gently loosen any compacted roots.
• Position the plant so the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil.
• Backfill with soil, firm gently and water thoroughly.
• Apply a layer of mulch around the base to retain moisture while keeping it away from the main stem.
• Space plants approximately 60–90cm apart.

Care & Maintenance

Hebe 'Rhubarb & Custard' is an easy-care shrub that performs well with minimal maintenance.

• Water regularly during the first growing season.
• Once established, water during prolonged dry spells.
• Avoid allowing the soil to become waterlogged.
• Feed in spring with a balanced slow-release fertiliser.
• Apply fresh mulch each year to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
• Remove weeds from around the base regularly.
• Deadhead faded flower spikes to encourage continued flowering.
• Protect young plants from severe winter frosts in exposed locations.
• Ensure good air circulation around the plant to promote healthy growth.

Pruning

Regular light pruning will keep the shrub compact and attractive.

• Trim lightly after flowering to maintain a neat, bushy shape.
• Remove spent flower spikes throughout the flowering season if desired.
• Cut out any dead, damaged or diseased branches in early spring.
• Avoid cutting back into old woody stems, as Hebes do not always regrow from mature wood.
• Light annual pruning encourages fresh colourful growth and abundant flowers.

Growing Conditions

• Botanical Name: Hebe 'Rhubarb & Custard'
• Common Name: Hebe Rhubarb & Custard
• Plant Type: Evergreen shrub
• Mature Height: 60–90cm
• Spread: 60–90cm
• Flower Colour: Soft lilac to pale purple
• Flowering Period: June to September
• Foliage: Variegated green with colourful pink, cream and red new growth
• Growth Rate: Moderate
• Hardiness: Hardy throughout most of Ireland and the UK in sheltered positions

Ideal Uses in the Garden

Hebe 'Rhubarb & Custard' adds colour and structure to a wide variety of planting schemes.

• Mixed shrub borders
• Cottage gardens
• Coastal gardens
• Gravel gardens
• Rockeries
• Patio containers
• Front-of-border planting
• Wildlife-friendly gardens
• Contemporary garden designs
• Low evergreen planting

It combines beautifully with Lavender, Salvia, Heuchera, ornamental grasses, compact roses and other evergreen shrubs.

Seasonal Interest

• Bright, colourful new foliage appears in spring.
• Evergreen leaves provide year-round colour and structure.
• Attractive flower spikes bloom throughout summer.
• Flowers attract bees and other beneficial pollinators.
• Fresh colourful growth continues into autumn.
• Evergreen foliage remains attractive throughout winter.

Common Problems

Hebe 'Rhubarb & Custard' is generally a healthy and reliable shrub.

• Poor drainage may lead to root rot.
• Young plants may suffer leaf damage during severe frosts.
• Aphids may occasionally feed on fresh new growth.
• Good airflow helps prevent fungal diseases.
• Remove any winter-damaged stems in spring once new growth appears.

With its colourful evergreen foliage, compact growth and long-lasting summer flowers, Hebe 'Rhubarb & Custard' is a superb choice for gardens of all sizes. Easy to maintain and providing year-round interest, it is perfect for borders, containers and coastal planting while also supporting bees and other pollinating insects

• Size
  2 Litre

Kindly be aware when mix/ mixed/ assorted/ varieties is mention you will receive ONLY ONE plant/ item, which will be selected for delivery, photos may show different varieties available - which may also vary 

 
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 DPD 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)

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