The rules for posting are simple!

1. Every Friday post a photo that includes one or more flowers.
2. Please only post photos you have authority to use.
3. Include a link to this blog in your post - http://floralfridayfoto.blogspot.com/
4. Leave the link to your FloralFridayFoto post below on inlinkz.
5. Visit other blogs listed ... comment & enjoy!

When to Post:
inlinkz will be available every Thursday and will remain open until the next Wednesday.

Thursday 18 August 2016

FFF248 - HEBE 'BLUE GEM'

Hebe is a genus of plants native to New Zealand, Rapa in French Polynesia, the Falkland Islands, and South America. It includes about 90 species and is the largest plant genus in New Zealand. Apart from H. rapensis (endemic to Rapa), all species occur in New Zealand. This includes the two species, H. salicifolia and H. elliptica, that have distributions extending to South America.

The genus is named after the Greek goddess of youth, Hebe. There are differing classifications for the genus and some botanists include Hebe, together with the related Australasian genera Chionohebe, Derwentia, Detzneria, Parahebe, Heliohebe and Leonohebe, in the larger genus Veronica (hence its common name 'Shrubby veronica').

Hebe has four perpendicular rows of leaves in opposite decussate pairs. The flowers are perfect, the corolla usually has four slightly unequal lobes, the flower has two stamens and a long style. Flowers are arranged in a spiked inflorescence. Identification of Hebe species is difficult, especially if they are not in flower.

The plants range in size from dwarf shrubs to small trees up to 7 metres, and are distributed from coastal to alpine ecosystems. Large-leaved species are normally found on the coast, in lowland scrub and along forest margins. At higher altitudes smaller-leaved species grow, and in alpine areas there are whipcord species with leaves reduced to thick scales.

Hebes are grown in many gardens and public areas; they attract butterflies. Hebes cope with most soil types, and can be propagated easily from both seed and cuttings. Wild Hebe hybrids are uncommon; however, there are many cultivated hybrids, such as Hebe × franciscana 'Blue Gem', shown here.


Join me for Floral Friday Fotos by linking your flower photos below, and please leave a comment once you have done so!
****If you take part in the meme, please show an active link back to this site on your own blog post!****

18 comments:

  1. Hi Nick,
    such a wonderful plant and blossoms. Great !
    Best, Synnöve

    ReplyDelete
  2. Beautiful blue - the leaves are lovely too!
    Thanks for hosting....
    Happy weekend to you!
    Ruby

    ReplyDelete
  3. It is a great plant family Nick! For every spot the right Hebe. Love the blue purple colour. So useful in the borders. Groetjes Hetty

    ReplyDelete
  4. I did not know Hebe was the Greek goddess of youth, interesting. Lovely color, even the buds. Sorry no flower posts from me today, it's all cats and root beer barrels.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Beautiful! They look like flowers I've seen here, but reading your info,, maybe I'm wrong. Thank you for hosting!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Eine tolle exotische Blüte...
    Liebe Grüße, Karin

    ReplyDelete
  7. I like them but have not had success. Quite beautiful plants.

    ReplyDelete
  8. So beautiful, i like the Color, dear Nick!
    Have a Fine weekend ... greetings from Germany, Frauke

    ReplyDelete
  9. Dear Nick,

    such a beautiful color of this plant.
    As always I enjoyed all of these interesting facts about this plant.
    Thank you so much for sharing.

    Best wishes - Julia

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am delighted to be introduced to this beauty. I haven't seen this one before. Thank you Nick, and for the info too.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Dear Nick,

    What a beauty flower/plant this HEBE.
    I've never seen before. - I like this very much.

    After a long time, I post a flower.
    Best wishes
    Elke
    ---------------------
    https://promocia.wordpress.com/

    ReplyDelete
  12. Nick, love the color. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  13. The color of the blooms on this plant are magnificent Nick. The foliage is to be desired too.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Very pretty purple petals! Thanks for hosting. :D

    ReplyDelete
  15. Heisann, so elegant and beautiful... have a nice weekend ;:OD)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Lovely colour.
    Have a nice weekend/Marika

    ReplyDelete
  17. beautiful flower and colour..
    have a nice weekend

    Rosi

    ReplyDelete
  18. I like this great Flower und the color is so beautiful. It ist so great to see all this nice Flowers here.
    Have a great week!
    Regards Ingrid

    ReplyDelete