Other Names:  syn. Cyanthodes colensoi, syn. Leucopogon colensoi

Description:

A prostrate, relaxed looking shrub with an open spreading habit; gray-green leaves are sometimes blushed with dark red; white flowers in spring followed by white or red berries; likes part shade and protection

Ornamental Features

Mountain Heath is clothed in stunning clusters of white star-shaped flowers at the ends of the branches in mid spring. It features an abundance of magnificent white berries in late summer. It has dark red-variegated grayish green foliage which emerges coppery-bronze in spring. The oval leaves remain grayish green throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

Mountain Heath is an open multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a ground-hugging habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub. When pruning is necessary, it is recommended to only trim back the new growth of the current season, other than to remove any dieback. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Mountain Heath is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Rock/Alpine Gardens
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Mountain Heath will grow to be about 12 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 14 inches. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is not originally from North America.

Mountain Heath makes a fine choice for the outdoor landscape, but it is also well-suited for use in outdoor pots and containers. Because of its spreading habit of growth, it is ideally suited for use as a 'spiller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the edges where it can spill gracefully over the pot. Note that when grown in a container, it may not perform exactly as indicated on the tag - this is to be expected. Also note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden. Be aware that in our climate, this plant may be too tender to survive the winter if left outdoors in a container. Contact our experts for more information on how to protect it over the winter months.