Erica cinerea

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Erica cinerea

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Ericales
Family: Ericaceae
Genus: Erica
Species: E. cinerea
Binomial name
Erica cinerea
L.

Erica cinerea (Bell Heather, or heather-bell) is a species of heather, native to western and central Europe. It is a low shrub growing to 15-60 cm tall, with fine needle-like leaves 4-8 mm long arranged in whorls of three. The flowers are bell-shaped, purple (rarely white), 4-7 mm long, produced in mid to late summer.

Bell heather is also used as an ornamental plant, coming in a wider range of colors. The flowers are dry, similar in texture to the strawflower. As an ornamental plant, it a drought tolerant and grows well in full sun with well drained soil.