Monday, January 10, 2011

Hebe speciosa--Showy Hebe



This beautiful purple-majenta hebe is starting to bloom now at the UC Botanical Garden. The buds are almost as pretty as the flowers, don't miss them!

Hebe, in addition to begin a genus of plants native to New Zealand and South America, is also the Greek Goddess of youth. The plants in this genus are characterized by leaves that are in decussate pairs. Decussate. Good word? It means that the pairs cross each other, so that they are in four rows. In some species the leaves are lined up like soldiers down the stem.

Beautiful flowers in January! Love it!

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