Cold tolerant Hebe seed wanted

[GordonT]

We have had such good luck growing Hebe odora (syn. buxifolia), and Hebe pinguifolia var. pagei, that I am hunting for seed or cutting material for some of the other small leafed, and whipcord Hebe species/hybrids. There are few to no offerings in eastern Canadian nurseries.
If I have read the right literature, I am led to believe that Hebe seed has a short viability?

Does anyone have, or know of a source for seed, or cutting material of any of the following species?

 Hebe annulata,H. buchananii,H. cockayniana, H. epacridea, H. haastii, H. hectorii, H. imbricata, H laingii, H. loganioides,
 H. lycopodioides, H. masoniae, H. ochracea, H. pauciramosa, H. petriei, H. pimeloides, H. propinqua, H. rakaiensis
 H. (Heliohebe) raoulii, H. subalpina, H. topiaria.

It has been quite an education to see H, odora and H.pinguifolia var pagei  virtually sail through the past several winters here. We have had them in a northern sloped garden since 2010. Last winter our lowest temperature was -25 C(our climate zone rating was dropped to zone 5B!!). Both species emerged from the snow in spring without a blemish! Now I would like to test some other plants to see if they can survive/thrive.

[johnw]

Oxen Pond BG is/was the place for Hebes.  In the late 80's they had a huge H. hectori (only have slides) that was thigh high, at the time the label said H. lycopodioides .  As well they had 'Pagei' and another which may have been labelled "epacridea" but not a match to any google pix, wouldn't grow in the beds but seeded itself in the gravel paths as I recall.

A Dane sent me H. rakiensis, touted as "the hardiest of all in Sweden", which was fine here - it was whispy and not hard-textured, white flowers.  Someone must still have it as it was in a few gardens in the Liverpool area but these properties have changed hands over the years.  Ethel Lohbrunner gave me a golden one which could be a seedling of Ed's, it's still in Cosby's display bed.  No one could identify it.   The others were for the most part identified here on the forum.

We've tried others and they stick around until a snowless winter with deep frost hammers them or poor drainage does them in.  Sobey's and Superstore sell tender ones every year in metro.

Jamie is the guy to talk to as he's likely to still have most. You might contact Philippe at Haut-Chitilet Alpine Garden, a good start for true hardiness vs UK hardy.

Hebes  - a good way to lose hair identifying and then finding them. ;

pic - Lohnbrunner Hebe.

john