About
Calluna vulgaris 'Gloucester Boy' is a resilient, evergreen shrub that grows to a height of about 40-60 cm. Its dark green leaves feature magenta tips as autumn arrives. During the summer and autumn months, it produces pale amethyst flower spikes that gradually transition to pink.
About the genus
Calluna consists of compact, evergreen shrubs that feature stems covered in small, overlapping leaves. At their tips, these plants bear spike-like clusters of diminutive, four-petaled flowers, each adorned with colored calyces.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Rock garden, Coastal
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in well-drained, acidic soil in full sun. See Hardy heathers for further advice
- Pruning
- Pruning group 10
- Propagation
- Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely) and other fungal diseases