Erica cinerea 'Alfred Bowerman'

RHS Plant Profile

bell heather 'Alfred Bowerman'

RHS / Joanna Kossak

Shrubs

A vigorous, low-growing, upright, evergreen shrub to 45cm high, with tiny, dark green, needle-like leaves arranged in whorls. Clusters of reddish, bell-shaped flowers appear on shoot tips from mid-summer to early autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H7

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Ericaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Erica can be prostrate or erect, evergreen shrubs with fine, needle-like leaves in whorls, and racemes or panicles of small, bell-shaped or tubular flowers
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grows best in well-drained, acidic soil in an open site in full sun. See Hardy heathers and erica cultivation for more detailed advice

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings in mid- to late summer, or by mound layering in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Rock garden
Wildlife gardens
Low Maintenance
Flower borders and beds
Ground cover

Pruning

Pruning group 10, after flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to fungal diseases, including Phytophthora root rot, in damp conditions