Veronica albicans
Veronica albicans (snow hebe) is a compact alpine/subalpine shrub (formerly in the genus Hebe) forming neat, dome-shaped cushions 0.3–0.6 m tall with small grey-green leaves and white to pale lilac flowers in summer. Native to higher altitude sites in the South Island, it prefers free-draining, gritty soils and cool conditions, making it ideal for rock gardens and troughs. alpine plants
Image credit: Snow Hebe (Veronica albicans). Wikipedia
| Scientific Name | Veronica albicans |
|---|---|
| Height | 0.3–0.6 m |
| Spread | 0.5–1.0 m |
| Water Needs | Low to moderate (excellent drainage) |
| Light | Full sun in cool climates; part shade in heat |
| Frost Tolerance | High |
| Salt Tolerance | Low to moderate |
| Growth Rate | Slow to moderate |
| Lifespan | Long-lived perennial |
An alpine/subalpine hebe preferring cool summers and free-draining soils. Best performance occurs in cooler districts and elevated sites with good air movement.
| City | Climate Suitability |
|---|---|
| Whangārei | Moderate |
| Auckland | Moderate |
| Hamilton | Moderate |
| Tauranga | Moderate |
| Rotorua | Ideal |
| Gisborne | Moderate |
| New Plymouth | Moderate |
| Napier | Moderate |
| Whanganui | Moderate |
| Palmerston North | Ideal |
| Wellington | Ideal |
| Nelson | Ideal |
| Christchurch | Ideal |
| Dunedin | Ideal |
| Invercargill | Ideal |
Excellent drainage is essential.
Cool, bright conditions suit best.
Even moisture without saturation.
Minimal pruning. Lightly clip after flowering to maintain a compact dome; avoid cutting into old wood.
Best in spring or early autumn when extremes of heat and wet are unlikely.
Semi-hardwood cuttings taken after flowering root well in free-draining media.
Fresh seed may germinate slowly; provide a cool period to break dormancy.
Part of the diverse alpine hebe flora of Aotearoa New Zealand, valued by gardeners for its compact habit and resilience in cool climates.
Generally healthy in sharp drainage. Watch for root rot in winter-wet soils; treat mealybugs on container plants if present.
Top-dress annually with coarse grit around the crown. This reduces splashback, keeps foliage dry, and significantly lowers the risk of rot in cool, wet periods.
This section provides important information about plant care and cultivation practices. Understanding these aspects helps ensure successful growth and development in garden conditions.
Hebes are iconic in New Zealand gardens and alpine landscapes. Snow hebe’s tidy form and summer bloom make it a favourite for authentic alpine displays.
Plant in free‑draining soil enriched with compost, setting the crown level with the surface. Space plants appropriately; water in and mulch to conserve moisture.
This section provides important information about plant care and cultivation practices. Understanding these aspects helps ensure successful growth and development in garden conditions.
Prefers full sun to light shade, neutral to slightly alkaline soils, and good air movement; avoid waterlogged sites and improve drainage where necessary.
This section provides important information about plant care and cultivation practices. Understanding these aspects helps ensure successful growth and development in garden conditions.
Lightly trim after flowering to maintain shape and encourage dense growth; remove dead wood in late winter; water establishing plants during dry periods.
This section provides important information about plant care and cultivation practices. Understanding these aspects helps ensure successful growth and development in garden conditions.
Evergreen shrub with glossy leaves and terminal flower spikes; habit ranges from compact to spreading depending on selection.
Veronica are characterized by their simple, opposite leaves and distinctive four-petaled flowers arranged in terminal or axillary spikes or racemes. The genus ranges from tiny alpine cushion plants to small trees, with leaves varying from needle-like to broad and oval, often with attractive textures and colors. Their rapid evolution from herbaceous ancestors has produced remarkable diversity in size and form while maintaining consistent floral characteristics.
Provides nectar and pollen for native insects over a long season; branching offers shelter for invertebrates and lizards; useful in restoration as a nurse shrub.
Veronica play vital ecological roles as nectar sources for native insects, butterflies, and occasionally birds, with their abundant flowers providing food throughout much of the growing season. Many species serve as nurse plants in harsh environments, creating sheltered microsites that enable other native plants to establish. Their diverse growth forms from groundcovers to small trees fill numerous ecological niches in New Zealand's ecosystems.
Use as bold feature or informal hedge near coasts; pairs well with Olearia, Coprosma, and dwarf Phormium; space for airflow in humid districts.
This section provides important information about plant care and cultivation practices. Understanding these aspects helps ensure successful growth and development in garden conditions.
Requires good drainage, strong light, and regular airflow; tolerates salt spray and moderate drought once established.
Veronica species generally prefer well-drained, moderately fertile soils with neutral to slightly alkaline pH, and benefit from shelter from cold, drying winds. They propagate easily from semi-hardwood cuttings and fresh seed, with most species preferring cool climates and struggling in hot, humid conditions. Good drainage is essential as waterlogging can be fatal, while many species tolerate coastal conditions and moderate drought once established.
Widespread in cultivation and not considered threatened; protect wild populations from habitat loss and hybridization by using eco‑sourced material.
Many Veronica species face conservation challenges from habitat fragmentation, with numerous populations now isolated and showing poor recruitment due to browsing by introduced mammals. Genetic pollution from planted garden cultivars threatens wild populations, while invasive weeds like hieracium compete directly with alpine species. Climate change poses additional threats to specialized alpine and coastal species adapted to specific environmental conditions.
Koromiko and related hebes appear in rongoā Māori and community restoration; valued for resilience and long coastal associations.
Veronica species held special significance for Māori, with DNA research revealing deliberate cultivation and transplanting of attractive red-flowered species south of West Auckland, demonstrating sophisticated horticultural practices. These plants were valued for their ornamental beauty and were carefully moved to new locations where they established lasting populations. The genus represents one of the few documented examples of pre-European ornamental plant cultivation in New Zealand.
Forms wind‑baffles that shelter seedlings and reduce desiccation; persistent leaf litter contributes to nutrient cycling in sandy soils.
Veronica have evolved sophisticated adaptations including specialized leaf structures for different climates, wind and water dispersed seeds, and the ability to hybridize readily which has contributed to their spectacular diversification. Their evolution into woody forms from herbaceous ancestors represents adaptation to New Zealand's forest-dominated pre-human landscape where height provided competitive advantage. Many species exhibit remarkable tolerance to environmental extremes including salt, wind, and temperature fluctuations.
Coastal and lowland sites with free‑draining soils; headlands, dune margins, and open scrub; tolerant of salt‑laden winds.
The genus occupies virtually every habitat in New Zealand from coastal salt meadows and cliff faces to alpine fellfields and snow-bank communities near the treeline. Different species show strong habitat preferences, with coastal forms tolerating salt spray and wind, montane species preferring cool, moist conditions, and alpine species adapted to extreme temperature fluctuations and intense UV radiation. Many species thrive in open, sunny situations with good air circulation.