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Calluna vulgaris 'Crowborough Beacon'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

heather 'Crowborough Beacon'

A spreading, dwarf, evergreen shrub to about 30cm with upright shoots bearing tiny, dark green, scale-like leaves, with cream, orange and red new growth in early spring. Spikes of pale pinkish-purple, bell-shaped flowers are produced in late summer and early autumn

Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Cream Orange Red Green
Summer Purple Green
Autumn Purple Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
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 full sun in well-drained, acidic soil. See Hardy heathers for more advice

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Low Maintenance
  • Banks and slopes
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Ground cover
Pruning

Pruning group 10

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

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

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