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Alpine RockeryShrubs

Calluna vulgaris 'Tricolorifolia'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

heather 'Tricolorifolia'

A compact evergreen shrublet with a range of leaf colour from chocolate brown foliage in the winter through to dark green with pinkish cream shoot tips in spring and green the rest of the year and spikelets of lavender flowers in August and September.

Synonyms
Calluna vulgaris 'Tricolor, Smith's Variety'
Calluna vulgaris 'Tricolorifolia' Smith's Variety
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 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 Purple Green
Autumn Purple Green
Winter Brown
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, Matforming
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

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
  • Rock garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • 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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