Calluna vulgaris Dark Beauty - Heather

Calluna vulgaris 'Dark Beauty' is undoubtedly one of the prettiest summer heathers currently available. This heather combines a particularly compact habit with a highly decorative, almost red flowering spike. Its flowers bloom for several weeks, from late summer to early autumn, perfectly highlighted by the bronze foliage. A beautifully coloured little ball with compact growth, it complements all the colours of autumn. Plant in rockeries, at the edge of flower beds or in a nice pot on a patio.

Calluna vulgaris is the only species in the genus Calluna belonging to the Ericaceae family. In its natural habitat, it is the dominant vegetation of acidic heathlands in the cold regions of the United Kingdom and Northern Europe. 'Dark Beauty' is an evergreen shrub that forms small, bushy, slightly tousled plants, with a height of about 20 cm (7.9 in) and a width of 35 cm (13.8 in). It has a slow growth rate. Ornamental all year round, this cultivar blooms from mid-August, with flowering continuing until mid-October. Its small, semi-double, urn-shaped flowers, which are intermediate in colour between dark pink and red, are densely clustered on upright and flexible spikes. The light green colour of its scaly foliage forms a beautiful contrast with the flowers. With the onset of cold weather, the small leaves turn bronze. It is a honey plant, used in beekeeping due to the high sugar content of its nectar. Heather honey is characterised by its gelatinous texture and dark colour.

'Dark Beauty' thrives in acidic, moist to dry soils, in low-maintenance gardens and wild areas, adding a touch of refinement. Plant it in groups with other varieties and cultivars (which are countless), small grasses or even dwarf asters. For a long winter flowering, one can imitate nature by mixing common heather and ling heather, changing the colour of the landscapes they form when they bloom. This small plant brightens up rockeries and borders along pathways. It adapts very well to container gardening and will create beautiful seasonal compositions. Planted in ericaceous beds, it will cover the base of rhododendrons or witch hazels. 

Calluna vulgaris tolerates moderate grazing. It represents an important source of food for sheep and deer when vegetation is covered by snow. It is capable of regenerating after fire. In the past, this plant was considered magical and used in white magic rituals; it was believed to have protective powers in the heathlands of Brittany, where it is said to repel ghostly spirits. Calluna is also an ingredient in gruit, an aromatic composition used in brewing beer before the use of hops in the Middle Ages. Its flowering tops have long been used in herbal medicine, as they are reputed to "dissolve bladder stones".