Calluna vulgaris 'Mrs. Ronald Gray'
SCOTCH HEATHER
Family: Ericaceae
Pronounced: kah-LOO-nah vul-GAH-ris
Quick Jumps
Growing Guide
Rainy Side Notes
GROWING GUIDE
Geographic Origin:
Garden.
Plant Group:
Shrubs.
Hardiness:
Sunset zones: 2-6, 15-17.
USDA: zones 5-7.
Mature size:
Height: 2-4 inches (5-10 cm).
Flowering period:
August to September.
Flowering attributes:
Reddish purple, tiny bell-shaped flowers on long racemes.
Leaf attributes:
Leaves are 1/16 to 1/8 inch long, dark green and scale-like.
Growth habit:
Prostrate.
Light:
Full sun.
Soil:
Sandy, humus rich soil.
Feeding:
Little to no fertilizing in the maritime Northwest.
Propagation Methods:
Semi-ripe cuttings in midsummer.
Pruning Methods:
Prune after blooms start to fade.
Rainy Side Notes
Calluna comes from the Latin word,kalluno to cleanse; vulgaris means common.
Calluna 'Mrs. Ronald Gray' is a remarkably low growing, handsome heather. I have only one plant growing on top of a rock wall next to heaths and lavenders. It makes a great ground cover, filling in between perennials and small shrubs. As I rewrite this, I am wondering why I have not propagated more of this cultivar for my garden. An interesting, two-inch high shrub, it would make an attractive, evergreen ground cover if planted in the right spot. Well, what are you waiting for?
Photographed in author's garden.
Gardening for the Homebrewer: Grow and Process Plants for Making Beer, Wine, Gruit, Cider, Perry, and More
By co-authors Debbie Teashon (Rainy Side Gardeners) and Wendy Tweton