Some early-flowering perennials and shrubs will produce a second display of flowers if the first crop is cut back as soon as it is over.  However, anyone who has waited for a second coming of, for example, oriental poppies will know that claims about a plant’s re-flowering habits are often exaggerated.  This little treasure, though, really does put on a magnificent display at this time of year if it is trimmed to remove the dead flowers at the end of May.  It forms a dome about 25cm tall and needs to be grown in a well-drained soil.

Parahebes are mainly from New Zealand and more closely resemble Veronicas than they do Hebes.  In general they are drought-tolerant plants that will take a few degrees of frost if they are grown in a well-drained soil.