Cassiope 'Randle Cooke' is a diminutive evergreen shrub that brings alpine charm to temperate gardens, thriving in Zones 4 through 8. This hybrid cultivar, created from a cross between C. lycopodioides and C. fastigata, rewards cool-climate gardeners with delicate white bell-shaped flowers from April through June. At just 6 to 9 inches tall and spreading slowly to 12 to 18 inches wide, it's a perfectly scaled plant for rock gardens, alpine troughs, or the front of shaded beds. The genus name itself carries mythology, borrowed from Cassiopeia of Greek legend, while the plant's tiny, scale-like leaves hugged tightly to the stems create an almost feathery texture year-round.
Partial Sun
Moderate
4-8
9in H x 18in W
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Moderate
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Few shrubs reward the gardener with such restrained, architectural beauty. The white nodding flowers appear reliably over several months in spring, held above foliage so fine it reads almost like a evergreen moss from a distance. Its slow spread and compact stature mean it stays where you plant it, and it asks almost nothing in return once established in cool, moist, acidic soil. No significant pest or disease problems reported.
Cassiope 'Randle Cooke' is grown as an ornamental shrub, valued primarily for its sculptural form and spring flowers. Its diminutive size and evergreen character make it suited to alpine gardens, rock gardens, troughs, and as a specimen plant where its restrained beauty can be admired up close.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Transplant rooted cuttings or nursery plants into the garden in early spring or fall. Choose a location with afternoon shade if you live in the warmer end of Zones 4-8. Space plants 15 inches apart to allow for slow spreading. Ensure the planting hole is amended with acidic, well-draining soil.
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“'Randle Cooke' is a hybrid cultivar bred from two Cassiope species: C. lycopodioides and C. fastigata. Cassiope itself is a genus native to alpine, montane, and moor regions of the Northern Hemisphere, plants shaped by generations in harsh, cool climates. This particular cross represents deliberate plant breeding to create a garden-worthy form that captures the delicate character of wild Cassiope while remaining manageable in cultivation.”