Authors: L.  

Botanical Description

Variable in habit, from sparse and erect up to 2m tall, to tufted and bushy seldom more than 30cm. Leaves ovate to oval or oblong, 2-6cm long, matt to bright green above, somewhat glaucous beneath. Flowers pink to deep red, 8mm across, borne in terminal clusters and also down the stem to form clumps of colour, early to mid summer, sometimes also in autumn. Eastern North America, Labrador to Manitoba, south to the mountains of Georgia, in dry or wet sterile acid soils. K.a. forma candida has white flowers. K.a. var. ovata has broader leaves. K.a. var. Carolina produces leaves grey velvety-downy beneath. K.a. forma rubra has deep red flowers, while 'Rubra Nana' is both red-flowered and dwarf (30-40cm tall) and best for the rock garden.