Michigan State University Extension
Ornamental Plants plus Version 3.0 - 00000255
11/12/99
Calluna vulgaris--Scotch Heather
Hardiness Zones: 4 to 6
Height: 2 ft Spread: 3 ft Form: upright
Type: broad-leaved evergreen shrub
Annual Growth Rate: less than 12 inches
Flowers: Pink
Comments: This low growing shrub is valued for its pink
flowers borne in summer. The flowers, borne in long
clusters, are attractive to bees. The plant requires an
acid soil and winter protection in northern climates.
Annual pruning may improve flowering. Plant container
grown plants in the spring.
Cultivars:
var. alba 'Rigida' - White flowers in late summer with
green foliage all year. More cold tolerant than most
Calluna.
'Blazeaway' - A 15-inch tall plant that produces dark
lilac blooms and a winter foliage color of orange-
red. The new growth is yellow.
'Caerketton White' - An 18-inch tall plant with white
flowers.
'Corbett Red' - A 15-inch tall plant with dark, violet-
red flowers.
'County Wicklow' - A one-foot tall plant producing
light pink flowers.
'Cuprea' - The new foliage is yellow in spring, turns
green in summer and copper-colored in winter. The
flowers are mauve and the plant grows 15 inches tall.
'Elsie Frye' - An 18-inch tall plant with double white
flowers.
'Gold Haze' - This 18-inch tall plant does not produce
its white flowers as heavily as some other cultivars.
The foliage is gold all year.
'H. E. Beale' - Plants 2 feet tall produce double, pink
flowers in late summer.
'J.H. Hamilton' - Double pink flowers are produced on a
9-inch tall plant (Vis. 1).
'Kinlochruel' - Double, pure white flowers on plants 15
inches tall.
'Mair's Variety' - A vigorous, 30-inch plant that
produces white flowers.
'Pyramidal Purple' - Plants 12 inches tall produce long
lasting purplish pink flowers in mid summer.
'Rosea' - Rose pink flowers are produced on plants 15
inches tall.
'Silver Knight' - Lavender flowers are produced in late
summer on plants 15 inches high. Gray foliage.
'Silver Queen' - The foliage is gray all year. The 18-
inch plant produced lavender flowers.
'Spring Cream' - A dwarf growing 1 foot tall that
produces green foliage accented with yellow and cream
tips from the new growth. The flowers are white.
'Spring Torch' - Plants 1 foot tall and 2 feet wide
produce bright yellow new growth and red winter
color. The flowers are lavender-pink.
'Tib' - Profuse displays of deep, rosy-purple
flowers.
'White Knight' - The plant grows 15 inches tall and
produces gray foliage and lavender flowers.
References for Cultivars: Monrovia Nursery Company 1997,
Weston Nurseries 1999, Lake County Nursery 1997, White
Flower Farm 1999.
This information is for educational purposes only. References
to commercial products or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not
mentioned. This information becomes public property upon
publication and may be printed verbatim with credit to MSU
Extension. Reprinting cannot be used to endorse or advertise
a commercial product or company.
This file was generated from data base ZZ on 01/19/00.
Data base ZZ was last revised on 11/12/99.
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