{"product_id":"calluna-vulgaris-garden-girls®-athene","title":"Calluna vulgaris Garden Girls® ‘Athene’","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCalluna vulgaris Garden Girls® ‘Athene’\u003c\/strong\u003e is a compact, hardy evergreen heather with masses of \u003cstrong\u003erich red flower buds\u003c\/strong\u003e held above neat dark green foliage. Its intense colouring makes it a brilliant choice for autumn pots, window boxes, doorstep displays and seasonal garden planting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSupplied in a \u003cstrong\u003e13cm diameter nursery pot\u003c\/strong\u003e at approximately \u003cstrong\u003e25cm+ tall\u003c\/strong\u003e, ‘Athene’ gives instant colour while remaining compact enough to combine easily with Cyclamen, grasses, ivy and other autumn and winter plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat Makes Garden Girls® ‘Athene’ Different?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Athene’ is a \u003cstrong\u003ebud-blooming Calluna\u003c\/strong\u003e. Unlike traditional flowering heathers, its deep red flower buds remain tightly closed rather than opening fully.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis means the buds retain their colour for much longer and are less affected by autumn rain and colder weather, creating a particularly long-lasting seasonal display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLight \u0026amp; Position\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrow outdoors in \u003cstrong\u003efull sun\u003c\/strong\u003e for the strongest bud colour and most compact growth. It will tolerate some light partial shade, although a bright position is preferable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e‘Athene’ is exceptionally hardy and can remain outdoors throughout the UK winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSoil \u0026amp; Planting\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCalluna vulgaris is an \u003cstrong\u003eacid-loving plant\u003c\/strong\u003e and grows best in well-drained acidic soil. If growing in a container, use a \u003cstrong\u003epeat-free ericaceous compost\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIf your garden soil is alkaline or chalky, keeping ‘Athene’ in a container filled with ericaceous compost is usually the easiest option.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWatering\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKeep the compost \u003cstrong\u003ereasonably and consistently moist\u003c\/strong\u003e, particularly while the plant is establishing or when grown in a container.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWater when the surface begins to dry and allow excess water to drain freely. Avoid allowing a small pot to dry out completely for prolonged periods, but equally do not leave the plant sitting in waterlogged compost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eAutumn \u0026amp; Winter Colour\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Athene’ produces its rich red buds from late summer into autumn, with colour typically continuing from around \u003cstrong\u003eSeptember into November\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBecause the buds remain closed, the display lasts much longer than conventional open flowers. Once the strongest bud colour has faded, the evergreen foliage continues to provide useful structure through winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eAfter Flowering\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a \u003cstrong\u003ehardy perennial evergreen shrub\u003c\/strong\u003e, not a disposable seasonal bedding plant. Once the main display has finished, lightly trim back the old flowering stems to help maintain a compact, bushy shape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid cutting deeply into old woody growth, as Calluna does not reliably regenerate from bare old stems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowing in Containers\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGarden Girls® ‘Athene’ is ideal for autumn and winter pots, window boxes and doorstep displays. Its deep red buds work particularly well alongside white or silver foliage, ornamental grasses, ivy and pale Cyclamen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMake sure outdoor containers have good drainage and continue to check the compost during dry or windy winter weather.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowing in the Garden\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant into acidic, well-drained soil in a sunny position. ‘Athene’ works well at the front of borders, in rock gardens, heath-style planting or grouped with other Calluna cultivars.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOnce established, it is a tough, low-maintenance evergreen shrub that provides year-round structure and seasonal autumn colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy You'll Love It\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRich deep red flower buds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLong-lasting Garden Girls® bud-blooming colour\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDark green evergreen foliage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePerfect for autumn pots, window boxes and doorstep displays\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompact 25cm+ size that's easy to combine with other seasonal plants\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHardy enough to remain outdoors through UK winters\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCan be planted permanently into suitable acidic garden soil\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003ePlant Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Calluna vulgaris ‘Athene’\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeries:\u003c\/strong\u003e Garden Girls®\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Heather \/ Ling\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlower Colour:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep red buds\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Evergreen \/ dark green\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNursery Pot Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 13cm diameter\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eApproximate Height:\u003c\/strong\u003e Around 25cm+\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Habit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Compact \/ bushy \/ upright\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to light partial shade\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Acidic, well-drained soil or ericaceous compost\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fully hardy in the UK\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease note:\u003c\/strong\u003e As this is a living plant, the exact height, number of flower buds, colour intensity and overall shape will naturally vary. Decorative pots shown in photos are not included. This plant is supplied in a plastic nursery pot.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"grow urban","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58747694219645,"sku":null,"price":7.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0509\/1193\/6720\/files\/IMG_2701.jpg?v=1790868748","url":"https:\/\/growurban.uk\/products\/calluna-vulgaris-garden-girls%c2%ae-athene","provider":"grow urban.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}