Golden Darley Dale Heath Erica × darleyensis f. aureifolia 'Jack H. Brummage'
ABOUT
The plant known as 'Jack H. Brummage' is a striking variety characterized by its vibrant foliage and attractive flowers. The leaves of this plant are a notable feature, showing a golden-yellow hue that adds a splash of sunshine to any garden setting throughout the year. The needle-like leaves are small and tightly clustered, providing a dense and textured appearance to the plant. When it comes to the flowers, 'Jack H. Brummage' produces an abundance of bell-shaped blooms that hang in clusters from the stems. These flowers are typically a soft pink to purplish-pink in color, creating a beautiful contrast against the bright golden foliage. The blooms are small and dainty, adding a delicate touch to the plant's overall appearance. Overall, 'Jack H. Brummage' presents itself as a lush, evergreen plant with a magnificent combination of golden foliage and pinkish flowers, offering visual interest throughout the seasons. Its colorful display makes it a popular choice for gardeners looking to add year-round appeal to their landscape.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Ericaceae
Synonyms
Golden Darley Dale Heather, Golden Heath, Jack H. Brummage Heather
Common names
Erica × darleyensis f. aureifolia 'Jack H. Brummage'
ToxicityTo humans
The plant commonly known as Heather is generally not considered toxic to humans. There are no well-documented cases of poisoning from consuming Erica × darleyensis, so it is unlikely to cause harm if ingested in small quantities. However, as with any plant material, individual allergies or sensitivities could potentially cause mild gastrointestinal upset or allergic reactions in some people.
To pets
Heather is not commonly known to be toxic to pets such as dogs and cats. It does not appear on lists of poisonous plants for pets, suggesting that ingestion of small amounts would not likely cause severe poisoning. Nonetheless, as pets may have varying sensitivities, consuming plant material could potentially lead to mild gastrointestinal distress or an allergic reaction, and it is generally a good practice to prevent pets from eating ornamental plants.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Golden
Flower color
Pink
Height
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Spread
2-3 feet (60-90 cm)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
6
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Appeal: Erica × darleyensis f. aureifolia 'Jack H. Brummage' provides year-round visual interest with its golden-yellow foliage and pink to white flowers.
- Low Maintenance: This plant is drought-tolerant once established, requiring minimal watering and care, making it ideal for low-maintenance gardens.
- Wildlife Attraction: Its flowers attract pollinators like bees, providing a food source for beneficial insects and aiding in garden pollination.
- Habitat Creation: Provides shelter and nesting sites for small wildlife, contributing to the ecosystem's biodiversity.
- Soil Erosion Control: Its root system helps to stabilize soil on slopes, reducing erosion and supporting land conservation.
- Seasonal Interest: Blooms in late winter to early spring when very few other plants are flowering, bringing color to gardens during the dreary months.
- Versatility: Suitable for a variety of garden styles, including rock gardens, borders, and containers, adding versatility to landscaping design.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Dye Production: Erica can be used to create natural dyes for textiles, yielding varied colors depending on the mordant used.
- Eco-friendly Jewelry: Dried parts of the plant can be incorporated into eco-jewelry, often as part of resin pendants or earrings.
- Craft Material: The stems and flowers are sometimes used in intricate dried flower arrangements or for making potpourri.
- Photography Subject: Its vibrant foliage and form make it an excellent subject for botanical photography and art.
- Theme Gardens: Erica can be a central theme for a garden, especially around a Celtic or Scottish theme, acknowledging its significance in those regions.
- Education: It can be used to educate gardeners about cross-breeding and hybridization techniques in horticulture.
- Winter Gardens: Due to its winter blooming, it can be used to add color to gardens during the cooler months when colors are scarce.
- Fairy Gardens: Its petite size and form make it an ideal plant to incorporate into whimsical fairy gardens for a touch of fantasy.
- Culinary Presentation: Though not for consumption, its vibrant blooms can be used to decorate plates and add flair to the presentation of dishes in restaurants.
- Miniature Landscapes: Erica can be used in miniature landscaping and model scenery, such as for model trains or dioramas.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe plant Heather is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe plant Heather is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Resilience: This variety of heath is known for its ability to thrive in challenging environments, symbolizing the ability to persist and remain steadfast in the face of adversity.
- New Beginnings: Heaths often bloom early in the year, making them a symbol of new beginnings and fresh starts.
- Solitude: The plant's preference for growing in quieter, less dense areas can symbolize a love for solitude or the value of peace and reflection.
- Protection: Historically, heaths were thought to have protective qualities, often planted around homes to safeguard against lightning and misfortune.
- Good Fortune: Some cultures consider heath to be a good luck charm, bringing prosperity and good fortune to those who look after it.
WaterFor the Golden Heath (Erica × darleyensis f. aureifolia 'Jack H. Brummage'), water deeply but infrequently to encourage strong root development. Water the plant once a week, adjusting for rainfall, with about one gallon of water per session for a medium-sized shrub. During the growing season, keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. In winter, reduce watering as the plant requires less moisture. Always ensure proper drainage to prevent root rot.
LightGolden Heath thrives in full sun to partial shade. The ideal spot for this plant would be an area that receives several hours of direct sunlight daily, while providing some protection from the intense afternoon sun. A position that offers morning sunlight with dappled afternoon shade would be optimal for the health and flowering of Golden Heath.
TemperatureGolden Heath prefers cool to moderate temperatures and can generally tolerate conditions ranging from 20°F to 70°F, maintaining their foliage even in cold winters. The ideal temperature for this plant is between 50°F and 65°F. While it can survive light frosts, extended exposure to temperatures below 20°F may damage the plant.
PruningPrune Golden Heath after it has finished blooming, typically in late spring, to maintain its shape and encourage new growth. Trim lightly, not more than one-third of the total length of the branches, to keep the plant looking full. Pruning once a year is usually sufficient, and the best time for this maintenance is immediately after the flowering period.
CleaningAs needed
SoilGolden Heath needs well-draining, acidic soil with a pH between 4.5 and 5.5. A mix of peat, sand, and loamy soil works best, providing adequate drainage while retaining moisture.
RepottingGolden Heath is typically repotted every 2 to 3 years to refresh the soil and accommodate root growth.
Humidity & MistingGolden Heath thrives best in moderate to high humidity levels, ideally between 40-60%.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright light, keep soil moist, high humidity.
Outdoor
Plant in acidic soil, partial sun, shelter from wind.
Hardiness zone
7-9 USDA
Life cycleThe common name of Erica × darleyensis f. aureifolia 'Jack H. Brummage' is Golden Heath. It begins its life cycle as a seed, which upon germination, develops into a small seedling. The seedling grows into a mature shrub, featuring needle-like foliage that may have a golden hue depending on light exposure. This evergreen plant produces an abundance of pink to white flowers typically from late winter to early spring, depending on the climate. After pollination, the flowers develop into tiny capsules containing seeds. The plant then enters a period of dormancy during colder months, reducing growth and conserving energy, before repeating the cycle with new growth in the following season.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
Erica × darleyensis f. aureifolia 'Jack H. Brummage', commonly known as golden foliage Darley Dale heath, is often best propagated through semi-ripe cuttings. This method is typically carried out in late summer, when the current year's growth has started to harden but is not fully woody. To do this, select healthy, non-flowering shoots, and cut a length of about 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) using a sharp, clean knife or secateurs. Strip the lower leaves to expose a clear length of stem and dip the cut end into a rooting hormone before planting into a mixture of sand and peat-free compost. The cuttings should be kept in a well-ventilated and humid environment, out of direct sunlight, until they have rooted, a process usually taking several weeks to a few months.
