Lynn:
http://www.backyardgardener.co...

http://plantlust.com/plants/he...

according to the info. at these links it ought to at least for you. I might be just a tad cold for it here though.

Thanks Chelle, Lin and Ann, I think again Hebe 'Midsummer Beauty' must be the one, the likeness to too prominent..

I guess it is a cultivar of Hebe salicifolia, Lin, You're right about the relativity of info on the height! I have found one like that in my botany book and there it says hardy to zone 7!! Can grow to 3 m tall and more..!

I saw the zone listings for Hebe was zone 9 and higher but I wonder if that is zone 9 California ... I've never seen a Hebe growing here in Florida ... wonder if they would like the humidity?

Myriam: Yes, I've read there are dwarf shrub varieties as well as small trees.

I know Lin; I have never seen or heard of them here either but then I've had plenty of people, master gardeners included, tell me that daylilys don't grow here. LOL! Isn't it pretty humid in the UK? With allllll that rain all the time? I'm going to say the hardest part will be finding the specific cultivar to buy --- ie: can you find it in the U.S.?
I say try it. You never know until you do. I think it should.

I meant the height of Hebe salicifolia is mentioned is growing 3m and taller in my botany book, Lin

UK is a fairly humid country I would say, so I wonder why they wouldn't grow in Florida..worth a try I would think..

Ooops cross posted Ann, Yes it does rain a LOT in the UK!

No problem Myriam. So that's 2 of us who agree on the humidity factor as well as it being worth a try here In Fl.
FYI --- I am renting now while we build a home so I won't get to try it until all that is done. And one thing concerns me about it. That is that I'm very much into Xeriscape & the data says they like to have moist soil. That may be a sticking point for me. I don't think there are any naturally moist areas on our property. But I can't say for sure until we live there & I have a chance to really check out all the nooks & crannies.

I read that they strongly dislike humidity, but if I were still in Florida I'd give 'em a try!

hee hee ... I've lived in Florida for almost 45 years and I've grown to dislike the humidity too ... but I still thrive. Maybe I will have to give Hebe a try next year and see how it takes to the south.