Pink Candy Hebe Plants

• Type: Compact evergreen shrub
• Height: 50cm
• Spread: 50cm
• Flowers: July to September
• Position: Full sun or partial shade
• Soil: Well-drained; tolerates chalk
• Hardiness: H4 (hardy in most of UK)
• Pot size supplied: 2 litre

Pink Candy Hebe – White Spikes with Pink Stamens, Red-Bronze in Winter

Hebe Pink Candy is a compact, bushy evergreen that earns its place across two distinct seasons. In summer it carries slender white flower spikes with fine pink stamens from July through to September — attractive to bees and butterflies throughout. Then, as the growing season ends, the dark green foliage deepens to a warm red-bronze that holds through winter, giving the plant a second moment of colour when most others have gone quiet. Compact to 50cm high and wide, with a dark reddish-purple midrib running through each leaf, it is interesting in every month of the year.

This is a PBR-protected variety (sold as Hebe ‘Tulpink’). Like all hebes it does best in poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil — sandy and chalky soils both suit it well. Rich conditions encourage soft growth that is more vulnerable to cold. In a container, use John Innes No. 2 with added grit. It is rated H4 and reliably hardy across most of the UK; a sheltered position helps in colder or more exposed gardens. This variety handles coastal conditions well and is a strong choice for seaside planting.

Planting and Growing Hebe Pink Candy

Container-grown hebes can be planted at any time of year, though spring and autumn are the most settled periods for establishment. No routine pruning is required — the naturally rounded habit stays tidy without intervention. A light trim with shears after the main flush of flowers will keep the plant compact and encourage fresh growth the following season. Avoid cutting into old wood, which does not regrow. In cold inland areas, a mulch applied around the base in autumn will protect the roots through the hardest weather.

Plants That Work Well Alongside It

Pink Candy’s white-and-pink flowers and red-bronze winter foliage complement other hebes in the range well. Heartbreaker Hebe brings variegated foliage with a mauve flower and a pink winter flush — the two together give an interesting winter container display. Pink Pixie Hebe is another compact companion, with rosy-pink flower spikes over a long season. For a cross-category pairing, ornamental grasses such as Stipa tenuissima or Festuca glauca make excellent neutral foils for the winter colour; browse our ornamental grasses for what’s available. All three pairings work in a border or a mixed container arrangement.

Why Buy Your Hebes from Ashridge?

Ashridge has been voted Best Plant Supplier by Which? Gardening, based entirely on customer recommendations. We grow in peat-free compost, never use neonicotinoids, and guarantee every plant we send. See the full hebe range.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Hebe Pink Candy flower?

From midsummer to early autumn — typically July to September. The white flower spikes with pink stamens appear over several weeks and are attractive to bees and butterflies throughout.

How big does Pink Candy Hebe grow?

To around 50cm high and 50cm wide. It is a naturally compact variety with a rounded, bushy habit that stays tidy without pruning.

Is Hebe Pink Candy evergreen?

Yes. It keeps its foliage all year round. The leaves are dark green with a reddish-purple midrib in summer, deepening to red-bronze in autumn and winter — giving it year-round interest in the garden.

Can I grow it in a container?

Yes — it does well in pots. Use John Innes No. 2 with added grit, ensure the container drains freely, and water regularly through the growing season. Feed monthly with a balanced fertiliser from April to August.

Is Pink Candy Hebe suitable for coastal gardens?

Yes. It handles salt-laden winds well and is a strong choice for coastal or exposed positions where many other ornamental shrubs struggle.

Does it need hard pruning?

No. Hebes do not regenerate well from hard pruning — avoid cutting into old wood. A light trim with shears after flowering is all that’s needed to maintain a compact, tidy shape.