Calluna vulgaris Garden Girls Sunset Fire - Heather

Calluna Garden Girls Sunset Fire combines in a single pot the varieties 'Zelda', 'Zoe' and 'Zorina'. These 3 varieties have been selected because they do not produce any flowering. The appeal of these plants lies in the texture and colour of their evergreen foliage. 'Sunset Fire' is the quintessence of autumn colours with a mix of bright yellow, bright orange, and rusty or dark orange foliage. Plant this striking plant in a rock garden, at the edge of a flower bed, in a beautiful pot on the terrace, or in a planter on the balcony, in acidic and well-drained soil or substrate.

Calluna vulgaris Garden Girls Sunset Fire belongs to the Ericaceae family. Its ancestor, the common heather, the only species of the Calluna genus, is the dominant vegetation in its natural habitat of barren heathlands in the cold regions of the UK and Northern Europe. 'Sunset Fire' is a trio of evergreen shrubs that form small, bushy plants with a wide and erect habit, reaching approximately 50 cm (20in) in height and 60 cm (24in) in width after 5 years of cultivation. The 'Sunset' range is proof that foliage itself is worthy of interest and provides a permanent and essential structure to surrounding plants.

The 'Garden Girls Sunset Fire' Summer Heather thrives in any acidic, moist to dry soil, in full sun or partial shade. It brings elegance to wild areas of the garden as well as weekend or low-maintenance gardens. Stunning when planted en masse with other species and varieties, it also pairs nicely with dwarf asters and short ornamental grasses, in a rock garden, on a slope, or in an informal border. In an ericaceous bed, it can be planted at the base of witch hazels, Pieris, or Skimmia japonica. On the patio or balcony, it fills pots and containers for autumnal floral displays with small perennials and bulbs.

Calluna vulgaris can withstand moderate grazing. It is an important food source for sheep and deer when the vegetation is covered in snow. It is capable of regenerating after a fire. In the past, this plant was considered magical and used in white magic rituals; it was believed to have protective powers. Calluna is also an ingredient in gruit, an aromatic composition used in beer brewing before the use of hops in the Middle Ages. Its flower tops have been used in herbal medicine for a very long time, as they are reputed to 'dissolve gallstones'.