Calluna vulgaris 'Golden Feather'

RHS Plant Profile

heather 'Golden Feather'

Shrubs

An evergreen shrub to 40cm high, with upright stems and small, scale-like green leaves tinted coppery orange in summer, and turning shades of red in winter. Spikes of small pale purple flowers are produced from late summer into autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: 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: 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. This cultivar is somewhat susceptible to wind burn, so best positioned in a sheltered spot. See Hardy heathers for more detailed advice

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings in midsummer, or by layering in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens
Flower borders and beds
Ground cover

Pruning

Pruning group 10, in spring

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

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