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Alpine RockeryShrubs

Calluna vulgaris 'Athene'PBR (Garden Girls Series)
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

heather 'Athene'

A compact evergreen shrublet with upright stems of tiny linear moderate green leaves. These produce long racemes of small reddish flower buds within a dark red calyx which never open (bud-blooming) from September November

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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Red Green
Autumn Red Green
Winter Red Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Ericaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy, Spreading branched
Genus

Calluna are low-growing or dwarf evergreen shrubs with stems clothed in tiny overlapping leaves, and terminal, spike-like racemes of small, 4-petalled flowers with coloured calyces

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained acidic soil in full sun. Flowers swell to bud, but do not open.

Propagation

Sow seed in spring. Propagate by division, layering shoots in spring/summer or planting softwood cuttings in a cold frame in summer.

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Coastal
  • Patio and container plants
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Rock garden
  • Banks and slopes
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Trim off old flowering stems after flowering to keep compact. Pruning group 10.

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely) and other fungal diseases

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