In early spring vibrant yellow-green foliage emerges followed by tiny orange-red flower buds in June. As the mauve flowers awaken from their buds in August, the overall visual effect is a rainbow tie-dye. Blooms linger into October, and maybe longer. Salmon-red foliage turns dark brick-red in late fall through winter. So far, this is among our top favorites. Upright habit. Z4. BACK! (4" pots)
Items from our perennial plants warehouse ordered
on or before March 7 will ship around March 26
through late April, starting with warmer areas and finishing in
colder areas. Orders placed after March 7 will
ship around late April through early-to-mid May, in the order in
which they were received.
ships in spring
7587
‘Firefly’
Additional Information
Heather and Heath
Heather Calluna vulgaris
Magical, mythical and medicinal evergreen groundcover
features a spread of flowers and foliage that change color throughout the
season. Revered in the British Isles, important medicinally in teas, honey,
liniments and ointments. First fermented a few thousand years ago, used in
gruit, ale, and might be the original ingredient for the first whiskey.
Branches
used in thatching, bedding, basketry, rope and broom-making. Flowers attract
bees, butterflies and moths, especially when planted in masses. Recommended
for
rock gardens and pathways—or for opening the portals to the fairy
world.
Shear every April for best bloom. Species native to the dry forests, heaths
and bare grounds of Britain and Ireland. More recently naturalized in North
America.
Heath Erica carnea
Foliage is more ferny and wispier than heathers and can be
many shades of green through the season. Mounded mat-like growth habit
sprawls
and crawls
Growing Heather and Heath
Soil: Requires acidic well-drained soil.
Sun: Full sun to part shade. Sun and wind intensify
their colors.
Spacing: Plant 18" apart. They’ll spread.
Planting: We recommend pine needles or softwood chips
as an acidic year-round mulch.
Shearing Heathers: Heathers should be sheared every
April for best bloom. Without annual shearing, they’ll become
woody
and bare in just a few years. With pruners or shears, roughly cut the
stems
below where they flowered the previous season, leaving a few inches of
foliage. It should look like a little mound with a haircut. Next thing
you
know, bright new growth will start emerging.
Shearing not only makes the plants look better but
also
makes them stronger and more resistant to fungal problems. If
you’re not up for shearing, heathers might not be for you.
Pruning Ericas: Lightly prune spent flower tips in
spring after blooming. These don’t require shearing like heathers.
