Firefly Heather (Calluna vulgaris 'Firefly')

Firefly Heather (Calluna vulgaris 'Firefly') is a small evergreen shrub with a dense, low-mounding habit. Its scale-like foliage emerges bright yellow, matures to chartreuse and lime in summer, and turns orange to crimson red after frost.

Rich purple, bell-shaped flowers cluster along one side of the stems from late summer into fall. Grow in full sun to part sun and acidic, well-drained soil.

Growing details

• Plant type: Evergreen shrub
• Mature height: 2–2.5 feet
• Mature spread: 2–2.5 feet
• Spacing: Approximately 2 feet apart
• Light: Full sun to part sun
• Soil: Acidic and well-drained
• Flowers: Rich purple bells
• Bloom season: Late summer into fall
• Foliage: Yellow new growth, chartreuse-to-lime summer foliage, orange-to-crimson tones after frost
• Habit: Dense and low-mounding

Care and site selection

This low-maintenance shrub tolerates poor soil and is drought resistant once established. Avoid heavy clay and sites with prolonged high heat and humidity. Cooler growing conditions are preferred.

Garden use

Use as an accent or in grouped plantings, edging, rock gardens, containers, or sunny woodland edges. Pond- or stream-side sites must provide well-drained soil rather than waterlogged conditions. Pair with crocus, redtwig dogwood, or hellebore where growing conditions suit each plant.

Image credit: Prides Corner, Calluna vulgaris Firefly. Plants naturally vary in appearance and may differ from the images shown.