Hebe ‘Sapphire’ is an upright, evergreen, bushy shrub, 40 in (1 m) high. The leaves are spear-shaped, mid-green, about 1.2 in (3 cm) long, with red edges – spring new growth is reddish. The leaves colour well in winter, the whole plant taking on a reddish hue. The flowers are purple, July to August. A hebe reasonably hardy in the UK.

This may be a seedling of Hebe ‘Mrs Winder’. It is one of the best hebes for winter and spring foliage colour. Plants seen at garden centres with this name may have wider, light green leaves, which are wider nearer the base.

Price: £5.99 per 2 ltr pot + p & p