WHAT: Firefly heather is an evergreen shrub with rich, vibrant, brick red foliage in winter.
WHY PLANT IT: During other seasons, its foliage is still attractive, with warm shades ranging from salmon to terra cotta. In August and September, small, bell-shaped, deep-mauve flowers cover its upright, compact frame.
WHERE: It grows best in open, full sun, where its foliage color is richest and it flowers abundantly.
HOW: Plant it in well-drained, rich, acidic soil.
Prune stems back to ½ to 1 inch above previous year’s growth after blooming. This can also be done in early spring with Firefly because it blooms on the current year’s growth. It is drought tolerant once established.
It pairs well with spiky, late-summer-blooming perennials, such as red-hot pokers. It contrasts well with ornamental grasses, such as molinia, panicum or stipa.
It works with dwarf conifers and black mondo grass, too.
This spreading shrub also makes a good groundcover and is attractive to bees.
ACTUAL SIZE: This dense, clumping, evergreen shrub grows to about 18 inches tall and 24 inches wide.
LEARN MORE: See www.greatplantpicks.org.
Source: Great Plant Picks
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