Hebes

I wouldn't have thought these were naturally suited to a real
Mediterranean environment. They come, after all, from NZ - which,
though parts of it are Mediterranean in some senses, doesn't anywhere
(does it? Moira? Tim?) have the characteristic extended hot dry summer
of a true Med climate. Ideally, they seem to flourish best with
relatively cool moist summers and mild moist winters - almost the
reverse of your hot dry summer and quite cold winter. So it's
difficult to be encouraging. Pity, because I think they're splendid
and undervalued plants. 

Gardeners in the milder parts of the UK, certainly, tend to be a bit
sniffy about them. It's an absurd form of 'specialists' snobbery' or
'horto-masochism,' IMO. Because in such areas they thrive so well,
need so little care, flower so profusely and for so long (six months
non stop is nothing unusual), suffer no pests or diseases worth
mentioning, root as cuttings in a matter of moments, self-seed with
(generally!) tactful enthusiasm, 'serious' gardeners look down their
noses at them. Silly, really, isn't it?

Perhaps Moira or Tim will be able to suggest species or cultivars
which are more adapted than most to drier summers and colder winters:
here's hoping!
Tim Longville
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