Meet Hebe ‘Rhubarb Crumble’ – New for 2026!

A gorgeous new evergreen Hebe with colour, flowers and toughness all rolled into one!

New to the market this year, Hebe ‘Rhubarb Crumble’ is an exciting new introduction from an Irish Nursery. It has already made a big impression, winning the Best New Plant Award at GLAS 2026 as well as a Gold Medal at the UK HTA National Plant Show. And it’s easy to see why!

🍂 Fabulous foliage all year

The real star of ‘Rhubarb Crumble’ is its evergreen foliage. New growth emerges in gorgeous pink, burgundy and plum shades, gradually developing into attractive green and cream variegation.

Its colouring becomes particularly vibrant in brighter conditions, giving you a plant that continues to provide interest long after the summer flowers have finished.

💜 Beautiful summer flowers

During the summer, the foliage is topped with attractive purple, lilac and white flower spikes. These provide an extra splash of colour and are also popular with bees and other pollinators, making it a lovely choice for a wildlife-friendly garden. 

💪 Hardy, healthy and easy to grow

One of the things that makes ‘Rhubarb Crumble’ particularly exciting is that it isn't just a pretty plant — it has been bred with excellent disease resistance and good garden performance.

It has shown strong resistance to downy mildew, while its naturally bushy, compact habit means it needs very little maintenance. Tully Nurseries also describe it as having greater vigour and improved disease resistance compared with its well-known sister plant, ‘Rhubarb & Custard’. It is generally hardy in Irish gardens, although, like most Hebes, it appreciates some protection from severe frost, cold exposed winds and winter waterlogging. 

🌞 Where should you plant it?

‘Rhubarb Crumble’ is wonderfully versatile.

• Full sun is ideal and will help bring out the strongest foliage colours.
• Light or partial shade is also suitable.
• Choose a sheltered position, particularly in colder or more exposed gardens.
• Plant in moist but well-drained soil and avoid areas that become waterlogged in winter.
• It is excellent in mixed borders, smaller gardens, rockeries and containers.
• Its naturally compact, rounded habit also makes it useful for group planting or low informal hedging. 

It reaches roughly 60–70cm high and wide, making it particularly useful where you want plenty of colour without a large shrub taking over the garden. 

✂️ Easy maintenance

This is a plant that doesn't ask for much. Simply give it a light trim after flowering to keep its rounded shape and encourage fresh, colourful growth. Any winter-damaged growth can be removed in spring.

⭐ Why we love it

• Evergreen ✔️
• Colourful foliage ✔️
• Beautiful summer flowers ✔️
• Pollinator friendly ✔️
• Compact and bushy ✔️
• Good disease resistance ✔️
• Hardy in most Irish gardens ✔️
• Excellent for pots or borders ✔️
• Low maintenance ✔️

Hebe ‘Rhubarb Crumble’ is a fantastic example of a modern garden plant that combines good looks with genuine garden performance. With its changing foliage colours, summer flowers and naturally tidy habit, it brings interest to the garden throughout the year.

A new Hebe with plenty of personality — and one we're delighted to have available now!