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Shrubs

Chamaedaphne calyculata

leatherleaf

Has arching stems and tough, glossy, dark green leaves. Small, white, hanging, urn-shaped flowers appear in spring in leafy sprays from the branch tips

Other common names

cassandra

Synonyms

Cassandra calyculata

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Loam

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Poorly–drained

pH

Acid

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Ericaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Chamaedaphne are evergreen shrubs with small, leathery, dark green leaves and waxy, urn-shaped, white flowers
Name status: Correct
Plant range: N temperate regions

How to grow

Cultivation

Needs a moist, naturally peaty, acidic soil in sun or dappled shade

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Low Maintenance

Pruning

Pruning group 8

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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