Kalmiopsis leachiana

RHS Plant Profile
kalmiopsis

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Alpine Rockery Shrubs

A dwarf shrub to 30cm in height and width, with small, oval, glossy dark green leaves. Small, bell-shaped, deep rosy-pink flowers are borne in clusters at the shoot tips

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

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
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed
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)
H5

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
Kalmiopsis are small evergreen shrubs with simple, obovate leaves, and short terminal racemes of small, cup-shaped flowers in spring
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
USA (Oregon)

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained, humus-rich, lime-free soil. Grow in full sun where the soil remains cool and moist or in partial shade.

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown at 6-12°C in spring or propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Rock garden
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

Pruning group 8

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free