Calluna vulgaris 'Isle of Hirta'

RHS Plant Profile

heather 'Isle of Hirta'

Synonyms

Calluna vulgaris 'Hirta'

Shrubs

A hardy but very slow-growing evergreen shrub to around 30cm in height. Yellow-green foliage in winter turns golden-yellow with a red base in summer. Lavender-pink flowers appear in summer to autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid

Position

Full sun

Aspect: East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–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): H7

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Ericaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
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. See hardy heathers for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Rock garden
Coastal
Low Maintenance
Banks and slopes
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 10

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to fungal diseases