HEBE SWEET DREAMS

Care Guide for Hebe 'Sweet Dreams'

Hebe 'Sweet Dreams' is a delightful evergreen shrub prized for its compact growth habit, variegated foliage, and charming pink flowers. This versatile plant adds year-round interest to garden borders, containers, and rockeries, infusing landscapes with color and texture. Here's a comprehensive care guide to help you cultivate and maintain Hebe 'Sweet Dreams':

Planting Location:

• Sunlight: Plant Hebe 'Sweet Dreams' in a location that receives full sun to partial shade. It thrives in bright sunlight but can tolerate some shade, especially in hot climates.
• Soil Type: Choose well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Hebe prefers fertile, loamy soil but can adapt to various soil types, including sandy or clay soil.
• Moisture Requirements: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water regularly during the growing season, especially during hot, dry periods.

Watering:

• Regular Watering: Water Hebe 'Sweet Dreams' regularly, especially during the active growth period in spring and summer. Aim to keep the soil evenly moist, but avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.
• Mulching: Apply a layer of organic mulch, such as compost or bark chips, around the base of the plant to retain soil moisture and suppress weed growth.

Fertilization:

• Moderate Feeding: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring to promote healthy growth and flowering. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for application rates and frequency.
• Avoid Excessive Nitrogen: Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, as they can promote lush foliage at the expense of flower production. Apply fertilizer sparingly to prevent nutrient imbalance.

Pruning:

• Regular Pruning: Prune Hebe 'Sweet Dreams' lightly after flowering to maintain its compact shape and encourage bushy growth. Remove any dead, damaged, or overgrown branches to improve airflow and overall plant health.
• Renewal Pruning: Every few years, consider performing a more extensive renewal pruning to rejuvenate older plants. Cut back one-third of the oldest stems to ground level to stimulate fresh growth from the base.

Propagation:

• Propagation from Cuttings: Hebe 'Sweet Dreams' can be propagated from semi-ripe stem cuttings taken in late spring or early summer. Dip the cuttings in rooting hormone and plant them in a well-draining potting mix. Keep the soil consistently moist until roots develop.
• Division: Divide mature Hebe 'Sweet Dreams' plants every few years to propagate new specimens. Dig up the plant in early spring, carefully divide the root ball into smaller sections, and replant them in prepared soil.

Pest and Disease Management:

• Pest Resistance: Hebe 'Sweet Dreams' is relatively resistant to pests and diseases. However, watch for aphids, spider mites, or scale insects, which may occasionally feed on the foliage. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
• Disease Prevention: Ensure good air circulation around the plants to prevent fungal diseases such as powdery mildew or root rot. Avoid overhead watering, as wet foliage can increase the risk of fungal infections.

Winter Care:

• Cold Hardiness: Hebe 'Sweet Dreams' is hardy in USDA zones 7-9. In colder regions, protect the plant from frost by covering it with a layer of frost cloth or moving container-grown specimens indoors.
• Mulching: Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of outdoor plants to insulate the roots and protect them from freezing temperatures.

Landscape Uses:

• Border Plant: Plant Hebe 'Sweet Dreams' along garden borders or pathways for a pop of color and texture. Its compact size and variegated foliage make it an excellent choice for edging or mass planting.
• Container Gardening: Showcase Hebe 'Sweet Dreams' in containers on patios, balconies, or terraces. Its compact growth habit and colorful foliage make it an ideal candidate for container gardening.

Conclusion:

Hebe 'Sweet Dreams' is a versatile and attractive shrub that provides year-round beauty and interest in the garden. By following the care guide outlined above, gardeners can successfully cultivate and enjoy the variegated foliage and charming flowers of Hebe 'Sweet Dreams' in their outdoor spaces. Visit our garden center to acquire Hebe 'Sweet Dreams' plants and enhance your garden with this stunning evergreen shrub.

• Size
  2 lt

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

Click & Collect

Can’t wait for delivery? Why not try our FREE Click & Collect service? Simply make your purchase online and collect it from our store located in Croagh Co. Limerick. Our staff will contact you by phone when your order is ready for collection (Please allow 24 hours minimum). When collecting your item, call the store on 069-64084. We will then load into your car as required. This service is available in-store 9am – 6pm Monday – Saturday (No collections on Sundays)

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