Hebe First Light

Hebe (Veronica) ‘First Light’

Overview

Hebe (Veronica) ‘First Light’ is a compact, colour-changing NZ native shrub prized for its vibrant bronze winter foliage and striking deep pink spring flowers. Ideal for small gardens, modern landscapes, and coastal or windy New Zealand sites, this low-maintenance hebe offers year-round visual impact. Its reliable growth habit and strong seasonal contrast make it one of the most popular compact hebes for residential landscapes.

Key Features

Foliage:
Tidy mid-green leaves edged with bronze that intensify to full bronze during the colder months. This seasonal colour shift is a standout feature of ‘First Light’, adding warmth and contrast to garden designs through winter.

Flowers / Fruit:
Deep pink flower clusters form at the tips of shoots from spring, drawing in pollinators and creating a striking contrast against the bronze foliage. Flowering is consistent and showy, making it a dependable small shrub for colour-heavy gardens.

Form & Habit:
Naturally compact, rounded, and symmetrical. Requires little to no trimming to maintain a tidy, bun-shaped appearance—excellent for structured or low-maintenance gardens.

Growth Rate:
Moderate and predictable.

Cultural & Ecological Value:
A hardy NZ native well adapted to wind, coastal exposure, and cool climates. Provides nectar for bees and beneficial insects during spring flowering.

Mature Size

Ideal Growing Conditions

Landscaping & Garden Uses

• Perfect compact hebe for small gardens and urban spaces

• Mass-plant for strong winter colour and uniform form

• Excellent for coastal gardens exposed to wind and salt spray

• Beautiful edging plant for paths, driveways, and modern garden borders

• Suitable for planters and decorative pots due to tight growth habit

Care & Maintenance

Pruning: Minimal—light shaping after flowering if desired.
Watering: Water regularly during the establishment phase; low water demand once settled.
Feeding: Apply a slow-release native-safe fertiliser in spring.
Pests & Diseases: Generally hardy and problem-free when grown in well-drained soil.

Additional Tips

Plant in groups of three or five for the strongest visual impact. In colder NZ regions, foliage colour becomes richer and more dramatic through winter.

Fun Fact / Botanical Insight

‘First Light’ is part of a breeding line selected specifically for foliage colour contrast and compact form—traits that make it a favourite in high-impact, low-maintenance landscape designs around New Zealand.

Why Choose Hebe (Veronica) ‘First Light’?

It offers exceptional year-round colour, thrives in tough NZ conditions, and requires minimal upkeep—making it one of the best compact hebes for stylish residential gardens, coastal landscapes, and modern planting schemes.

Pot Size:

These are our standard size in 7cm square pots.