Hebe cupressoides “Boughton Dome” noted for its interesting foliage

What: Hebe cupressoides “Boughton Dome” caught the eye of judges over the course of a three-year hebe evaluation at North Willamette Research and Extension Center, Oregon. It is a very unusual evergreen shrub, noted for its interesting foliage and bun-like habit. Small, gray-green leaves cover this tidy, mounding plant, giving the look of a dwarf conifer.

Where: Use it in a rock garden or wherever cool, gray tones are needed in the sunny parts of your garden. This slow-growing hebe can easily be damaged by more vigorous neighbors, so give it plenty of room and keep fast-growing, floppy plants at a distance.

Size: Hebe cupressoides grows to be 2 feet tall by 3 feet wide.

Care: Once established it needs only occasional watering during dry weather. Sometimes Hebe cupressoides ‘Boughton Dome’ will revert to the larger-growing Hebe cupressoides. Cut out this more-vigorous growth as soon as it appears, or it will spoil the shape of ‘Boughton Dome’. Hebes are not long lived plants but should remain attractive in the garden for ten to fifteen years. Replace older plants once they begin to deteriorate.

— Richie Steffen,

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