Hebe Mrs Winder

Hebe Mrs Winder, also known as Shrubby Veronica Mrs Winder, is an evergreen shrub that’s compact, neat and a joy in the garden. Its narrow dark green leaves begin life reddish purple before maturing into glossy green adult leaves that may take on bronze tinge in winter. Flowers will often appear in autumn giving a much needed boost to a flagging flower bed. The flowers are violet blue, small and hang in racemes measuring seven centimetres in length. 
Hebe Mrs Winder will grow to a maximum of 1-1.5 metres over five to ten years and spread approximately the same; however it is simple to keep a compact shape with pruning.

How Hardy Is Hebe Mrs Winder?
Hebe Mrs Winder is hardy through most of the UK, but may struggle in extreme northern climates. Generally speaking Mrs Winder will survive frosts and snow provided they are not harsh and prolonged.  All Shrubby Veronica varieties, including the Mrs Winder, do well in exposed conditions due to their compact shrubby nature and low growing habit. They make good additions to a breezy coastal gardens and urban areas. 

How To Use Hebe Mrs Winder
Hebe Mrs Winder is usually grown for its winter foliage, but it also makes a contrast with showy flowers in the border. Her dark green understated nature creates a complimentary backdrop to high summer blooms, so place a few shrubs directly into the flower border or create a low growing hedge around the border itself.
If you have areas of bare earth and require ground cover, Hebe Mrs Winder will prevent soil erosion and provide habitats for wildlife as well as giving structure to a flat area. She will grow well on slopes and banks too provided there is partial sunlight. You can also grow Hebe Mrs Winder in containers to break up a monotonous patio or brighten up a winter doorstep. 

How To Care For Hebe Mrs Winder
Shrubby Veronica Mrs Winder prefers alkaline to neutral soil, but will grow in acidic conditions if you improve the soil with mulch and compost. In well-drained but moist soil Hebe Mrs Winder requires no care except annual pruning on leggy specimens to maintain the shape to desire. If you want conical, clipped shrubs Mrs Winder responds well to trimming. An annual mulch of manure in the spring will boost healthy foliage and flowers but too much will cause droop. 

With its spectacular winter foliage, hardy nature and ability to blend into any garden design it’s no wonder the RHS have given Hebe Mrs Winder the Award of Garden Merit.