Erica cinerea (Bell Heather or Heather-bell)
Michael's Opinion
This is a low-growing compact shrub that is very beautiful. It has purple flowers that are shaped like an urn; it does however, attract bees so it is not the best choice if you are allergic. It is great for open exposed areas as a shrub border or ground cover.
Botanical Information
| Family | Ericaceae |
| Genus | Erica |
| Species | cinerea |
| Category | Woody |
| Type | Shrub (evergreen) |
| References | O’Sullivan, Penelope. All About Shrubs and Hedges. Ortho Books an Imprint of Meredith Books,1999.Print. |
| Origin | Native to Central and Southern Europe. |
| Pronunciation |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 5–7 |
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone | 5 |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Temperature (°C) | 4-16 |
| Temperature (°F) | 40-65 |
| Height | 50–100 cm |
| Spread | 75 cm |
| Growth | Slow |
| Flowering Period | June |
Description and Growing Information
| General Description | This is a beautiful shrub that is low growing and compact. It has beautiful bell flowers that drupe and can range in colour. |
| ID Characteristic | It has big bell flowers; the darker the leaf of the plant–the darker the flower can be. Very noticable are the long stems with the urn shaped flowers at the tip of the stem. |
| Shape | Compact, low shrub. |
| Landscape | It is a subshrub that can be used as ground cover, in masses, shrub border and rock garden specimens. |
| Propagation | Propogation by seed can be triggered by heat and light. Germination is increased if the seed is heated to 120° for 30 seconds before sowing in the propagation compost; also, propagation by cuttings are best done during July and August. You can use the stems below the flowering shoots, as long as the tufts of leaves do not exceed 2mm. |
| Cultivation | Best in sunny exposed sites on well drained soils that are acidic. It benefits by the occasional shaping, but pruning is not required. Important to keep it moist in the first year; requires good drainage. |
| Pests | Scale, powdery mildew, rot and rust. |
| Habitat | It grows in moorlands, heaths, and open wood areas. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description | Large bud, white to pink in colour. Ranges from 1.5-2 cm long. |
| Leaf Description | It is a dark green leaf, with whorls of 3, that at times do roll under. The size of this leaf is around 5 mm. |
| Flower Description | About 30 cm tall with bright green foliage and bright purple flowers in clusters at the ends of the shoots. Urn shaped flowers, which are produced in terminal racemes from summer to early autumn. Flowers are tightly massed in stiff spikes above the pin-sized leaves which range from 4–7 mm long. |
| Colour Description | Colour can range from white-pink, mauve to deep-magenta flowers. |
| Texture Description | The texture is similar to the strawflower. |
Photographs
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Erica cinerea 'Purple Beauty'
Scanning electron microscope image of pollen grain.