Hebe x franciscana
Hebe x franciscana
Safety & Hazards
None known
Cultivation Details
Prefers a light well-drained soil in a sunny position[1, 2]. Succeeds in most soils so long as they are not boggy or too dry[3]. Very tolerant of salt and wind[4], it succeeds in very exposed maritime positions[3]. Chalk tolerant[2]. Tolerates atmospheric pollution[2]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus. This species is commonly grown in the Atlantic zone coastal gardens, but it is not reliably hardy inland[1]. It tolerates temperatures down to about -10°c, succeeding outdoors in the milder areas of the country and self-sowing in the Isles of Scilly where it appears wild[4]. Young vigorously growing plants are very susceptible to frost damage but may become hardier after their first winter[1]. A number of forms have been developed for their ornamental value[3]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[2].
Propagation
Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a greenhouse in spring. Only just cover the seed and do not allow the compost to dry out. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Grow on the young plants for at least their first winter in a greenhouse and plant them out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts. It would probably be worthwhile giving some protection to the plant for its first winter outdoors. This species is a hybrid and will not breed true from seed. Cuttings of half ripe wood, 3 - 5cm with a heel, mid summer in a frame. Pot up when roots are forming and keep in a frame or greenhouse for its first winter before planting out in late spring. Cuttings of mature wood, late autumn or winter in a frame. Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-21. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Hebe+x+franciscana>
Pollinators
Data unavailable
References
- [1]Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. — Bean. W. · Murray · 1981 · ISBN - ↩︎A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
- [2]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
- [3]Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. — Thomas. G. S. · Murray · 1992 · ISBN 0-7195-5043-2 ↩︎Contains a wide range of plants with a brief description, mainly of their ornamental value but also usually of cultivation details and varieties.
- [4]Shrubs. — Phillips. R. & Rix. M. · Pan Books · 1989 · ISBN 0-330-30258-2 ↩︎Excellent photographs and a terse description of 1,900 species and cultivars.