Erica carnea f. aureifolia 'Hilletje'
heather 'Hilletje'
A dwarf shrub about 10-15cm high and 30cm wide, with a compact habit, leaves which are golden green in spring and summer and orange-red in autumn and winter, and fragrant, lilac-pink flowers, darkening with age, and with chocolate-brown anthers, from midwinter to early spring; most Erica species and cultivars are excellent plants for all types of bees
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Pink | Green Gold | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Gold | |||
| Autumn | Orange Red | |||
| Winter | Pink | Orange Red |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical 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
Grow in full sun, in well-drained, preferably acidic, sandy or organic soil; will grow in poor soils, and will tolerate neutral and mildly alkaline soils, and will tolerate some shade; for more advice, see heather cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings from mid-summer to late summer, or by mound-layering in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Coastal
- Rock garden
- Flower borders and beds
- Banks and slopes
- Garden edging
- Ground cover
Pruning
Pruning group 1 or pruning group 10 after flowering, to maintain compact habit
Pests
Generally pest-free, but rabbits may damage young plants
Diseases
May be susceptible to fungal diseases, including honey fungus (rarely), and Phytophthora root rot, in wet conditions
Get involved
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