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Key characteristics

Family: Plantaginaceae
Height: Up to 4.5 feet
Width: 4.5 feet
Flower color: Deep purple or vivid blue flowers in dense clusters
Foliage color: Glossy green with burgundy stems
Bloom time: Late spring through summer
Light: Prefers full sun to partial shade
Water: Low
Maintenance: Minimal; requires occasional trimming to maintain shape
Growing zone: Hardy in zones 8 to 10
Wildlife: Highly attractive to bees and other pollinators

Shrubs

Veronica x franciscana 'Blue Gem'

Blue Gem Hebe

Veronica x franciscana 'Blue Gem' is a compact evergreen shrublet admired for its vivid blue-violet flowers, lush green foliage, and distinctive burgundy-red stems. Blooming from late spring into summer, the dense clusters of small, colorful blooms create a striking contrast against the glossy leaves and vibrant stems. This combination of features ensures year-round interest, with the red stems adding depth and texture even outside the flowering season.

Light

Prefers full sun to partial shade

Water

Low

Bloom time

Late spring through summer

Find this plant

Companion plants

Tickseed · Russian sage · Potentilla · Fountain grass · Basket-of-gold · Lily of the Nile

Design tip

Draw attention to ‘Blue Gem’s’ burgundy-red stems by keeping the shrub visible beyond its flowering season. The colored framework adds depth beneath glossy evergreen foliage, while vivid blue-violet flowers transform the same plant into a stronger focal point through summer.

Printable plant sheet (PDF)