Hebe- black/brown leaves

[househunthappening]

I've had 4 hebes in pots for about a year and they've gone very brown and twiggy underneath with black spots on the outer leaves which have stayed green. When I cut one of the stems it's still green so I think they are still alive, is there anything I can do to save them?

I've taken them out of the pots and put them in larger ones in the shade as they got a lot of sun where they were. The soil was very dry but I thought that hebes don't like too much water. I'd quite like to plant them in the ground, but thinking that might not be a good idea in this heat. Should I just keep in pots in a shady spot for now and start occasionally until the autumn, then stick them in the ground and hope for the best?

They just look like they’ve not had enough water. Do as you’ve suggested. Have they flowered?
If and when they’ve flowered I’d give them a light trim to encourage some new growth lower down.
Hebes are quite tough and are very easy to take cuttings from.

I'd recommend cutting the stems back to about 5-10cm above ground, then feed, water and mulch the base. There is still time for them to come back and make reasonable growth this year.

Hebes are native to New Zealand and cultivars can be sensitive, you have to keep a close eye on them. IME they do better in the ground but don't like to be moved.

I lost most of my hevea of this type after the snow - gutted, they were beautiful

However, one of my biggest I thought was all but dead. Very dry, snapping etc.

I was going to dig it out but just too big a root so began cutting it back until DH could tackle it

One low branch had begun with some new shoots! It must have been better protected

Take off the dead leaves and plant them in the ground - not much different to putting in a bigger pot

I think you'll be able to save them as the tips look green and the stems still seem viable