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