Erica Cinerea; Bell heather

Common Name: Bell Heather

Latin Name: Erica Cinerea

Type: Evergreen

Location: Fletcher Moss

Ultimate height: 0.1 – 0.5m

Ultimate spread: 0.1 – 0.5m

Located Erica Cinerea height: 20 – 30cm

Overall shape:

Leaf Shape: Narrow leaves; linear shaped, gradually progressing up the stem. Dark green in colour.

Bark: Creamy, light brown in colour. Soft at touch.

Preferred soil type: Moist but well-drained sand, clay or loam.

Fruit/Flowers: Fruits being capsules. Flowers purple/red in colour, up to 5-6cm in length. Growth in clusters along the stem, bell shaped.

Distribution: Native to Britain

This particular Erica Cinerea was found within a planting bed, boarding a footpath through Fletcher Moss gardens. This species was extremely dominant in this area of the gardens, with few other species amongst the grow. Their condition seemed very healthy whilst attracting a vast amount of wasps to its pollen. The ground conditions were moist but loose. I took a sample of lower level soil and carried out soil pH tests which read to have 

My illustration of the Erica Cinerea

Helleborus Orientalis

Latin Name: Helleborus Orientalis

Type: Perennial

Location: Fletcher Moss

Ultimate height: 50cm

Ultimate spread: 60cm

Located Helleborus Orientalis height: 40cm

Leaf Shape: Lanceolate shaped, green in colour.

Bark: Tough stem, dark green in colour.

Preferred soil type: Moist but well-drained chalk, alkaline soil.

Fruit/Flowers: Pink in colour, numerous spots of darker shaded pink on petals.

Distribution: Native to Greece and/or turkey

This particular Helleborus Orientalis is located along side a hard pedestrian footpath in close proximity to a man made pond. It is surrounded by other various shrubs and trees and is in very good condition. The ground conditions were moist and very loose. I took a sample of lower level soil and carried out soil pH tests which read to have a pH of indicating the soil to be 

My illustration of the Hellebores Orientalis