Heather of the month – Erica x darleyensis ‘Mary Helen’
Flowers pink, February to April. Foliage yellow-gold, turning bronze in winter, height 25cm; spread 45cm.
This hardy heather, which has just withstood temperatures of minus 16C in eastern England, was found by Peter Foley as a chance seedling in his nursery at Bolton-by-Bowland, Lancashire, England. He named it after his daughter.
Like any Darley Dale heath it is suitable for chalky or other lime-rich soils, but also thrives in neutral to slightly acidic loam.
