Calluna vulgaris 'Silver Knight' (Heather)

Calluna vulgaris 'Silver Knight' (Heather), 'Silver Knight', is valued for its evergreen presence and seasonal bloom in PNW gardens.

Scotch Heather (Calluna vulgaris) is the iconic Scottish moorland evergreen , low mats of scale-like foliage in green, gold, bronze, and silver, topped with spires of pink, purple, or white flowers from late summer through fall. The genus has only one species, but cultivar diversity is staggering.

Full sun suits this species. Plant in well-drained, acidic, lean soil. Hardy USDA Zone 4 to 7. Plant in poor, acidic, sharply drained soil. Full sun is essential , heather flowers poorly in shade. Shear by half each spring before new growth to keep plants tidy and prevent woody centers. Watch for root rot in heavy or wet soils.

For a Pacific Northwest native low-evergreen shrub of similar character, consider Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Kinnikinnick) , evergreen mat with urn-shaped pink flowers and red berries, or Gaultheria shallon (Salal) for a taller native woodland-edge evergreen with edible berries.