Erica cinerea aka Bell Heather

Erica cinerea, commonly known as the bell heather, is a compact, mat-forming, evergreen shrub native to western and central Europe. This small, hardy shrub reaches a height of around 15cm and features fine, pale greenish-yellow leaves with red shoot tips. From early summer into autumn, it produces short spikes of beautiful purple to deep pinkish-red flowers. Not only does Erica cinerea add aesthetic appeal to gardens, but it also serves as a valuable source of nectar for pollinators. In fact, it has been rated among the top 5 plants for nectar production in the UK. When planted alongside other heathers, it can create a multi-hued Persian carpet groundcover, providing year-round flowers and foliage.