Friend asked me to identify this.

Hmm, I grow Penstemon Garnet being 1 of the hardier ones and that's not a bad guess @Anthony Rogers. The clump I have which I grow behind the greenhouse for a bit of protection doesn't look that dissimilar and it would respond pretty fast from being pruned hard.....watch this space if the blooms are dark red and bell shaped then the mystery is solved.

 

Choisya Aztec Peal leaves are like 5 fingers on a hand .

choisya aztec pearl leaf - Google Search:


Penstemon was another of my thoughts.
It would regrow fast after a hard prune.
Another plant with paired leaves ...the next pair up are at 90 degrees to ones below...to give the impression of leaves in a X shape.

We will all watch this thread for pic of the flowers later in the year!

 

Ha ha, amazing how many posts we can get from an out of focus photograph. If we were standing next to it we could tell in a heartbeat. Could be either but would a Penstemon get as tall, I doubt it. I would plump for Hebe, either a named variety or the good old favourite H. salicifolia.

 

How very true..you would be able to tell if the leaves were waxy/shiny.
You would be able to see the veins.
We would be able to see if it has a stalk ..or not.
It would be so easy to narrow it down.
Meanwhile silu a couple of pics for your friend to look at...!

Salvia leucantha....

https://dmalexanderplants.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/salvia-leucantha-leaf.jpg

Hebe salicifolia...

http://ketenewplymouth.peoplesnetworknz.info/image_files/0000/0009/9438/Hebe_salicifolia-005.JPG

Chalk and cheese!

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That looks very much like two penstemons I've got. Quite hardy-lasted all winter here but haven't had snow. I took cutting last year so got 3 new ones on the go