Erica carnea f. alba 'Golden Starlet' (Golden Starlet Heather)


Botanical Information

FamilyEricaceae
GenusErica
Speciescarnea
Formaalba
Cultivar'Golden Starlet'
CategoryWoody
TypeShrub (evergreen)

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone6b - 7a
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone6b
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH6
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-20 to -15
Temperature (°F)4 - 5
Height30 cm
Spread50 cm
GrowthSlow
Flowering PeriodJanuary, February, March, April, December

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionErica carnea f. alba 'Golden Starlet' is a low-lying evergreen shrub with whorls of needle-like, bright yellow to yellow-green leaves and small white flowers.
CultivationRequires moist, acidic, well-drained soil, full sun and semi shade in hot climates. Plants should not be allowed to dry out neither should they sit in wet or waterlogged soils. Shear new yearly plantings to encourage broad spreading growth. Older plantings could be trimmed immediately after flowering to promote compactness and encourage fresh, bushy growth.
PestsPests might include vine weevil and aphids. Rabbits may feed on new shoots while voles may cause some girdling of branches especially under cover of snow. Fungal diseases may be a problem if the plants are stressed due to waterlogging or drought. They may include root rots such as Pythium and Phytophthora and foliage diseases such as Rhizoctonia and Botrytis.
Notable SpecimensRHS Garden Rosemoor, North Devon, England.
HabitatHorticultural origin.
Leaf DescriptionNeedle-like, arranged in whorls, bright yellow turning yellow-green in winter.

Photographs