Kingdom: Plantae
(Unranked): Angiosperms
(Unranked): Eudicots
(Unranked): Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Plantaginaceae
Genus: Hebe
Species: H. unknown
Binomial name: Hebe x glaucophylla
Cultivar name: Hebe ‘First Light’
Common name: Hebe ‘First Light’
This hebe was raised by Jack Hobbs at the Auckland Regional Botanic Garden, New Zealand, and named after the Millennium. It has unknown parentage and is thought to be from H.speciosa and it might have H. X carnea involved in its development.
Hebe 'First Light' is a spreading, evergreen shrub, growing up to 30 cm high, and 90 cm wide. The bronze-green leaves are spear-shaped, 2.5 cm long. Short racemes of pink to white flowers are borne over a long time in summer.
The NZ Herald report of a new Hebe named ‘First Light’ for Hamilton’s Millennium celebrations.
Click to enlarge
The photo below was taken at Pukekura Park, New Plymouth by the Tea House.
