Bell Heather Erica cinerea f. aureifolia 'Golden Hue'
ABOUT
The plant mentioned, bearing the common name 'Golden Hue', is notable for its striking foliage and flowers. The most distinctive feature of this plant is its leaves, which have a luminous, golden color that can add brightness and visual interest to any garden setting. The foliage provides a vivid backdrop for the beautiful flowers, which present themselves in various shades from deep purple to pink. These bell-shaped blossoms are small yet abundant, often creating a dense and colorful display that contrasts strikingly with the golden leaves. This color contrast is one of the reasons 'Golden Hue' is prized by gardeners and plant enthusiasts. The plant has a bushy habit, with branches that can fan out gracefully from the center. The overall form of the plant is compact and neat, making it a versatile choice for various garden designs and purposes, such as borders or as a feature in rockeries. The allure of 'Golden Hue' lies not just in its stunning coloration, but also in the texture of its foliage and the delicate structure of its flowers, contributing to its overall charm and ornamental value in the landscape.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Ericaceae
Synonyms
Bell Heather, Golden Heath
Common names
Erica cinerea f. aureifolia 'Golden Hue'.
ToxicityTo humans
Bell Heather (the most common common name for Erica cinerea, as 'Golden Hue' is a cultivar) is not typically considered toxic to humans. Generally, it does not cause any adverse reactions if touched or ingested in small amounts. However, like with any plant, individuals may have allergies or sensitivities. It is always advisable to exercise caution and prevent ingestion of plants not meant for consumption, as individual reactions can vary.
To pets
Bell Heather is also not known to be toxic to pets. It is generally considered to be safe around animals, and there would typically be no symptoms of poisoning from ingestion. As with humans, individual animals may have sensitivities, so it is always best to prevent pets from consuming plants that are not explicitly intended for their consumption.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Golden
Flower color
Varies
Height
1 foot (30 cm)
Spread
1 foot 6 inches (45 cm)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: The 'Golden Hue' variety of bell heather adds vibrant color to gardens with its golden-yellow foliage and purple-pink flowers.
- Drought Resistance: As a member of the heather family, it is well-adapted to dry conditions, making it a good choice for water-efficient landscaping.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care once established, reducing the need for frequent watering, fertilizing, or pruning.
- Attracts Wildlife: The flowers can attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, supporting local ecosystems.
- Year-Round Interest: Evergreen foliage provides color and texture in the garden throughout the year, even in winter.
- Soil Adaptability: Bell heather is able to thrive in a range of soil types, including poor, rocky, or sandy soils, as long as they are well-draining.
- Compact Growth: Its natural compact, mounded growth habit makes it an excellent choice for rock gardens, groundcover, or container planting.
- Hardiness: It is quite hardy and can survive in harsher climates, withstanding cold temperatures once established.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Floral Arrangements: The stems and flowers of Erica cinerea, commonly known as bell heather, can be used in dried floral arrangements due to their enduring color and structure.
- Crafts: The branches and flowers can be incorporated into wreaths and other craft projects for decorative purposes.
- Fantasy Gardens: Bell heather can be used to create a miniature fantasy or fairy garden due to its delicate appearance.
- Photography: The vibrant hues of the plant make it an excellent subject for garden and nature photography.
- Bonsai: Some enthusiasts use bell heather for bonsai due to its fine foliage and potential for miniature growth.
- Educational Tool: The plant can be used to demonstrate heathland ecology and plant adaptation to students.
- Soil Erosion Control: The dense growth habit of bell heather can help stabilize soil and prevent erosion on slopes.
- Natural Dye: Historically, plants in the Erica genus have been used to produce dyes for fabrics.
- Palette Inspiration: Artists may use the vibrant colors of bell heather as inspiration for their color palettes.
- Garden Contrast: With its colorful foliage, bell heather provides excellent contrast when placed next to plants with darker foliage, enhancing the visual appeal of a garden.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Heather is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Heather is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Protection – Erica cinerea, commonly known as bell heather, often symbolizes protection due to its ability to thrive in harsh conditions and its historical use for thatching roofs, providing a form of shelter.
- Good fortune – Bell heather is also associated with good luck, particularly in Scottish tradition, where it is considered fortuitous to include it in bridal bouquets or to encounter it in the wild.
- Solitude – Due to its preference for growing in quiet, undisturbed areas, bell heather is sometimes associated with solitude or the enjoyment of one’s own company.
- Admiration – The vibrant colors of the 'Golden Hue' variety, compared to the typical purple of bell heather, can symbolize admiration and the uniqueness of an individual.
- Beauty – With its striking golden foliage, the 'Golden Hue' conveys a sense of beauty and appreciation for the aesthetic pleasures in life.
WaterThe Bell Heather should be watered deeply to ensure the roots receive moisture, but also allow the soil to dry out slightly between watering sessions. During the growing season, typically from spring through fall, watering once a week with 1 to 1.5 gallons of water is usually sufficient, although this may need to be adjusted depending on weather conditions and soil drainage. In winter, reduce watering frequency to every other week, making sure to monitor the soil moisture levels. Always water at the base of the plant, avoiding wetting the foliage to help prevent fungal diseases.
LightBell Heather thrives best in full sun where it can receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. It's important to position the plant in a location where it is exposed to unfiltered or lightly dappled sunlight to promote vigorous flowering and maintain the vibrant foliage color. Avoid deep shade as this can result in sparse growth and fewer blooms.
TemperatureBell Heather prefers a cool to moderate temperature range and can generally tolerate temperatures down to 20°F, while the upper threshold is around 75°F for optimal growth. Ideal temperature conditions for this plant usually range from 60°F to 70°F. It's important to protect the plant from extreme heat and frost to ensure its health and vitality.
PruningPrune Bell Heather after flowering to shape the plant and promote bushy growth. You should generally prune it once a year, in the late summer or early fall, removing about one-third of the plant's length. Pruning helps to rejuvenate older plants and prevent them from becoming woody and sparse.
CleaningAs needed
SoilBell Heather prefers acidic, well-draining soil with a pH between 4.5 and 5.5. A mixture of peat, sand, and loamy soil in equal parts can provide ideal conditions for growth.
RepottingBell Heather should be repotted every two to three years, or when it has outgrown its current container, to refresh the soil and allow room for growth.
Humidity & MistingBell Heather thrives in moderate humidity conditions, not requiring high humidity levels; ambient room humidity is generally sufficient.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Provide bright light, acidic soil, and keep evenly moist.
Outdoor
Plant in acidic soil, full sun to partial shade, protect from harsh winds.
Hardiness zone
5-8 USDA
Life cycleThe common name of Erica cinerea f. aureifolia 'Golden Hue' is Bell Heather. The first stage is germination, where seeds of the Bell Heather require well-draining, acidic soil, and some light to begin growing. Following germination, the seedling period involves initial root and shoot development in a moist, cool environment. As a young plant, the Bell Heather experiences vegetative growth, developing its characteristic needle-like golden foliage and woody stem structure. Upon reaching maturity, which can take several years, the plant enters the flowering stage, producing small bell-shaped, pink flowers that are essential for pollination and subsequent seed production. Finally, after successful pollination, seeds are set and dispersed, completing the cycle before the plant eventually senesces and dies.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The Erica cinerea f. aureifolia 'Golden Hue', commonly known as Bell Heather, is typically propagated through semi-hardwood cuttings. The ideal time for this comes during the summer months, when the plant is actively growing but when the current season's growth has begun to mature and harden slightly. To propagate Bell Heather using semi-hardwood cuttings, one would take a cutting of about 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 centimeters) from the tips of the plant. The leaves on the lower half of the cutting should be stripped away, and the cut end can be dipped into a rooting hormone to encourage root development. The prepared cutting should then be placed in a well-draining propagation mix and kept moist but not waterlogged. A humid environment can be maintained by covering the container with a plastic bag or placing it in a propagator, and roots typically develop within a few weeks.
