The shrub veronica, also called hebe, is becoming increasingly popular in home gardens. The evergreen shrub, which belongs to the Scrophulariaceae family, has a particularly decorative effect due to its lush green leaves and inflorescences with their colorful flowers. The flower colors vary from white tones to purple and red nuances. The plant, which can be grown outdoors as well as in pots or in flower pots indoors, is available in a total of around 140 different types. Robust and easy to care for, the lift is suitable for passionate hobby gardeners and beginners alike.
Table of Contents
Ideal location and optimal soil conditions
In order to ensure good growth of the hoist, the choice of the right location and optimal soil conditions are of particular importance. The shrub veronica thrives best in a cool place in partial shade; but sunny locations are also tolerated. The plant develops best when it is exposed to the sun for about three hours a day. In particular, varieties that develop colorful foliage need a bright location with a few hours of sunlight a day so that the characteristic leaf markings can develop optimally. Monochrome specimens, on the other hand, can also thrive in partial shade. If the plant is grown outdoors during the summer months, sheltered locations in the garden are suitable. The shrub veronica also feels at home on the balcony or terrace. However, the plant should be protected from direct sunlight and intense heat; The plant cannot tolerate direct midday sun either. The shrub veronica should be brought into the house before the first frost. However, the winter quarters must not be too warm; In a well-heated living room, the plant quickly loses flowers and leaves. Cool locations are ideal; the temperatures should always be between 5 and 10 ° C.
In addition to the suitable site conditions, optimal soil conditions are also important in order to ensure that the shrub veronica thrive well. The chosen substrate should meet certain conditions:
- loose properties
- rich in nutrients
- permeable to moisture
- somewhat calcareous
A mixture of peat soil, humus soil and a little sand is particularly suitable. For the production of an optimal potting soil, all three components are mixed with each other in equal parts. It should always be ensured that the soil remains loose in order to prevent waterlogging. Pottery shards can also ensure good drainage. These are laid out on the bottom of the flower pot before the vessel is filled with the substrate. If the shrub veronica is cultivated in a covered location, where the water supply is controlled by watering, pure potting soil can also be used as a substrate. When cultivating the shrub, particular care must be taken with the size of the vessel; the pot or tub should always be very spacious because the plant needs a lot of space to grow.
Watering, fertilizing, wintering
Overall, the lift requires little maintenance. In the period from spring to autumn, the plant must be watered abundantly. Sufficient moisture is particularly important on very hot days, as persistent drought can quickly lead to changes in the plant. Specimens that have not been watered for a long time tend to develop yellow leaves. However, the individual watering should always be well dosed; large amounts of water can lead to waterlogging. – Damage to the roots can be the result. In order to develop a feeling for the right amount of water, especially at the beginning, you should always pay attention to changes in the substrate; Renewed watering is only necessary when the soil has dried well between waterings, but not completely dried out. On particularly hot days, the leaves of the plant are also sprayed with water. During the cold season, watering is very moderate; you just have to make sure that the ball of the pot does not dry out completely.
In addition to watering, regular fertilization is also required for optimal care of the shrub veronica. The plant is only supplied with nutrients in the months between autumn and spring. During this time, the shrub veronica is fertilized every 14 days. A liquid fertilizer with a moderate concentration is mainly used here. The fertilizer is always added to the irrigation water. In the first year of life of the shrub veronica there is no fertilization.
The plant can be cut back specifically after flowering. In addition, the plant can be repotted if necessary. This is especially necessary when the plant is growing out of a small pot. The best time to repot is late spring.
The wintering of the plant works best in a cool winter quarters. The plant should be moved there when temperatures level off between 0 and 5 ° C. In order to offer the shrub veronica optimal conditions for wintering, certain requirements should be met in the winter quarters:
- cool temperatures (5-10 ° C)
- sufficient brightness
- moderate humidity
- moderate watering
Especially in winter it is necessary to keep watering as low as possible. It is poured only in sips. The soil is kept moderately moist, the ball of the pot is protected from drying out completely.
Some species of shrub veronica are able to hibernate outdoors. These include the plants often known under the generic name “Veronica”, which tolerate freezing temperatures well. Then, however, the plants should be protected from frost. The plant is covered early with coniferous branches. The cut branches offer optimal protection from the cold due to the close arrangement of the needles, while at the same time ensuring good air permeability. Spruce branches are particularly suitable for this, as they lose their needles by spring and thus let more light and air through to the plant at the right time. If the shrub veronica is cultivated in the tub, it can also be brought into the winter garden during the cold season.
Make propagation and sowing optimally
The lift is best propagated using head cuttings. Only unwooded specimens may be used for reproduction. The good health of the mother plant is also particularly important. With a clean cut, the cutting is severed directly below a knot. Before sticking, the lower leaves are removed. Now the cuttings can be placed with the originally basal part facing down in pots or bowls with potting soil. A mixture of peat and sand, which is filled in a ratio of 1: 1, is suitable for this. Once inserted into the ground, at least one eye should look out of the ground. Now high humidity is particularly important; To achieve this, a plastic bag can be placed over the cutting. This method guarantees protection against evaporation. Alternatively, heated propagation boxes are also available. The seed tray is placed in a bright place, which, however, must not be too sunny. The substrate is only lightly poured until the roots grow. However, the soil should always be slightly moist. The development of roots can be recognized by the first new shoots. After a strong rooting, the shrub veronica is transferred to a vessel. Certain aspects must be taken into account here: After a strong rooting, the shrub veronica is transferred to a vessel. Certain aspects must be taken into account here: After a strong rooting, the shrub veronica is transferred to a vessel. Certain aspects must be taken into account here:
- Planting is carried out in groups of three to six specimens each
- The bottom heat of the vessel should be between 18 and 22 ° C
- Young plants are transplanted several times at intervals of a few weeks
Fight pests and treat typical diseases
If the Hebe shows symptoms of illness, mistakes in care can often be blamed. If the plant is not growing properly or the leaves are fading, the plant may have received insufficient fertilization. However, the site conditions should also be considered if the plant shows symptoms like this; so too cold a place can lead to fading of the leaves. If, on the other hand, the shrub veronica is too warm, a significant loss of leaves can be the result. The plant shows these symptoms especially in well-heated winter quarters.
However, certain pests can also significantly reduce the health of the plant. The bush veronica is particularly often attacked by spider mites. The damage is expressed by light dots (suction marks) that can be seen on the leaves from spring; at a later stage of the infestation, light gray or bronze-colored spots appear, the leaves curl up and eventually fall off. If the shrub veronica is heavily infested, there is often an additional coating of fine webs. In the event of an infestation, the leaves must be removed; insecticides made from rapeseed oil also help. Numerous plants are also affected by gray mold. Triggered by the harmful fungus Botrytis cinerea, mouse-gray coatings form on the individual parts of the plant, which are very dusty. As a preventive measure, plant strengtheners, for example extracts from horsetail or rock flour, can be used. If there is an infestation, the affected parts of the plant must be removed. An approved fungicide must be used very early on. In addition to mold and mites, the shrub veronica is also frequently infested by lice. Aphids and scale insects are particularly common. The aphid infestation is easily recognizable by the typical damage pattern – heavily curled, curled, sometimes blistered leaves, sticky parts of the plant, black lice on the underside of the leaves. Various options are available for combating: the affected parts of the plant must be removed. An approved fungicide must be used very early on. In addition to mold and mites, the shrub veronica is also frequently infested by lice. Aphids and scale insects are particularly common. The aphid infestation is easily recognizable by the typical damage pattern – heavily curled, curled, sometimes blistered leaves, sticky parts of the plant, black lice on the underside of the leaves. Various options are available for combating: the affected parts of the plant must be removed. An approved fungicide must be used very early on. In addition to mold and mites, the shrub veronica is also frequently infested by lice. Aphids and scale insects are particularly common. The aphid infestation is easily recognizable by the typical damage pattern – heavily curled, curled, sometimes blistered leaves, sticky parts of the plant, black lice on the underside of the leaves. Various options are available for combating: sometimes blistered leaves, sticky parts of the plant, black lice on the underside of the leaves – easily recognizable. Various options are available for combating: sometimes blistered leaves, sticky parts of the plant, black lice on the underside of the leaves – easily recognizable. Various options are available for combating:
- Spreading lacewings or gall mites, for example in a greenhouse
- Spray the plant with a strong jet of water
- Soap solution splashes
- Sprayings with plant extracts such as tansy tea or nettle extract
- insecticides
The scale insect is also treated with special spraying. The infestation of the louse can be recognized by the circular pustule-like shields that are on the leaves of affected plants; these are often found between the crust-like coverings of sticky honeydew. If the infestation is advanced, the growth of the plant is inhibited and cripples become visible. Sprayings with oil preparations, for example based on paraffin oil or rapeseed oil, are used for effective control. The oil suffocates the lice. In addition, the shields can be removed with a toothbrush.
Conclusion
The Hebe occupies a special position in domestic gardens and houses. Since the plant can be cultivated outdoors, as a balcony plant or in the house, the plant offers numerous uses. With optimal site conditions and well cared for, both beginners and advanced plant enthusiasts can enjoy the decorative plant for a long time.
