Calluna vulgaris 'Gold Knight'

RHS Plant Profile
heather 'Gold Knight'
Plants for pollinators
Shrubs

A vigorous, spreading evergreen shrub to 45cm high, with upright stems and small, downy, scale-like leaves. In full sun, new growth is lime green and strongly tinted with golden yellow, and turns deep red in winter. Long spikes of small, pale lavender flowers are produced in late summer and early autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained or Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
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. 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
  • Patio and container plants
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Coastal
  • Banks and slopes
  • 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