Veronica vernicosa (Syn: Hebe vernicosa) is a compact evergreen shrub with small dark-green foliage and attractive inflorescences of white flowers. Its leaves are smaller and darker than Veronica rakaiensis and in my opinion it is one of the most attractive of the New Zealand small-leaf Veronicas. Still widely referred to as a Hebe, all members of this New Zealand genus were transferred to Veronica several years ago. This taxonomic shift shows no sign of making any impact on the vast majority of gardeners and nurseries!

The racemes of white flowers are borne freely throughout summer and are a magnet to pollinators.