Parahebe Avalanche - would it cope with full sun?

Nollie

Having admired the photo recently posted by @Marlorena on the rose thread, I am wondering if it would take full sun or if it needs a bit of shade? It would actually have a bit of dappled shade here, but still be exposed to pretty hot sun for a few hours.

It’s always a bit of an experiment what would survive in my climate, but does anyone grow it in full sun in the UK and how does it cope?

Fairygirl

I had a Parahebe in a previous garden, and it always did well, although I think I lost it in a harsher winter. Wet cold probably, rather than dry.
I can't remember what variety it was though, but I expect most will be about the same in terms of their hardiness.
I think they come from New Zealand- but not sure if I recall that correctly. I was tempted again because there was a bit of talk about them on the forum recently.

Marlorena

I have both Parahebe 'Avalanche' and the blue 'Porlock'.... I marginally prefer Avalanche, it seems to be in bloom when Porlock is taking a rest..     they are both growing in dry sandy soil full sun here... which means they went through the 3 month summer drought and heat of 2018 no problems...  you might find they flower in April to June.. then have a break during July/August, then start up again in September...

I seem to have had mine for about 4 years but I've not had a severe winter during that period.. I would get the fleece out if I expected a -10C... I find them indispensable if you want ground covers with a long bloom season... they are also not rooty and invasive like Veronica 'Georgia Blue' is for instance... 

Nollie

That’s encouraging that they came through your hot summer, thanks @Marlorena. Good to know they are not rooty either, as they would be to underplant roses. The latter will also take a break in July/August here, but hopefully the salvias I plan for that bed will give me some colour during that period.

Thanks also @Fairygirl, the lowest it has got here has been -8 so far, so they should be ok at that end of the weather spectrum too. 

Fairygirl

We have a lot of wet cold, so I'd guess that's more of a problem. Along with plenty of minus and low temps, we do get periods of below minus five quite often through winter, and I've lost Hebes in that, but that's how it is.
I occasionally try things even when I know they might be borderline, and it's the consistent cold wet weather that sees them off.

Nollie

Most of our rain comes in spring and (usually, but not this year) summer, @Fairygirl, so usually I have a bit more luck with getting borderline plants through the winter. It does rain a bit in autumn/winter, but often followed by sun so things don’t stay wet for long.

It’s the intense summer heat that is the killer here - no such thing as a perfect climate, it seems!

Fairygirl

Yes - it's that thing of 'getting to know your climate' @Nollie.
An occasional frost, even quite a hefty one, will do no harm, but if that frost is there most of the day, and then you get another, and another- that's different. Same with wet - occasional spells are fine, but day after day, plus low temps - different again. 

Nollie

Well I have been trying to get to know my climate for three years now but she is proving temperamental and elusive...

Fairygirl

@Nollie -I think it took me considerably longer- and i've always lived here in the W. of Scotland

Lizzie27

I also grow Parahebe 'Avalanche and it's in full sun, south facing with clay soil. We're in SW England and from memory our hottest temperature this last summer was about 34c and coldest about -5 in the winter. I'm actually going to dig mine up and move it to a better space with more room so I can see it better - I really like it and it's still in flower now.

Papi Jo

I have both Parahebe 'Kenty Pink' and P. 'Avalanche' in my garden. They behave quite differently. 'Kenty Pink' is a real ground-cover plant, it will spread a lot. Nice little pinkish flowers in Summer only. P. 'Avalanche' grows as a clump, it does not spread, it's taller, and flowers first in June, then stops in July, and starts again in Autumn. Here's a photo taken this afternoon, in full bloom! Oh, and my Parahebes are both in half shade and thriving.