About
Cassiope mertensiana var. gracilis is a low-growing evergreen shrub, typically reaching heights of up to 15 cm. It features diminutive, dark green oval leaves and produces white, bell-shaped blossoms in the spring. This variety is known for its abundant flowering.
About the genus
Cassiope consists of compact, evergreen shrubs resembling heaths, characterized by small, dark green leaves arranged in four ranks. In late spring and early summer, they produce solitary, nodding flowers that are bell or urn-shaped and emerge from the upper leaf axils.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam, Clay
- Soil pH
- Acid
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- North-facing, East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
- Plant type
- Alpine Rockery, Shrubs
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Rock garden
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Ideal for a partially shaded rock garden or open woodland. Needs an acidic, moist, humus-rich soil
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed in a cold frame in autumn or by semi-ripe cuttings in summer
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free