About
Calluna vulgaris 'Ralph's Red' is a resilient, evergreen shrub that typically reaches heights of 46 to 60 cm and spreads between 61 and 75 cm. Its foliage is a rich dark green, complemented by deep purple-red blooms that appear from summer into autumn.
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
- 0.5-1 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