Ivydene Gardens Plants:
Groundcover Plant
Name - E

The plants normally selected by most landscapers and designers are by nature low-growing, rampant, spreading, creep-crawly things and yet the concept of ground cover demands no such thing. The ideal description of a groundcover plant includes:-

• a bold dense mass of leaves completely covering the ground most of the year; evergreens gain gold stars.
• They should require little or no maintenance - if you have to give the plant more than its share of attention, you might as well save your money and spend the time weeding.
• use the plant on ground areas that are difficult to maintain, such as steep banks or boggy patches.
• use the plant to cover areas where not much will grow, such as deep shade or sandy soils.

Ground Cover a thousand beautiful plants for difficult places by John Cushnie (ISBN 1 85626 326 6) provides details of plants that fulfill the above requirements.

Using these groundcover plants in your planting scheme (either between your trees/shrubs in the border or for the whole border) will - with mulching your beds to a 4 inch depth and an irrigation system - provide you with a planted garden with far less time required for border maintenance.
Wildflower Flower Shape and Landscape Uses gallery provides Landscaping List by Use pages which include some of these ground-cover plants. Landscaping with Perennials by Emily Brown. 5th printing 1989 by Timber Press. ISBN 0-88192-063-0 provides the planting site pages for perennials, which include most plant types except Annuals and Biennials.

Plants for Ground-Cover by Graham Stuart Thomas. Published by J. M. Dent & Sons Ltd in 1970 - reprinted (with further revisions) in 1990. ISBN 0-460-12609-1. This gives details on many more ground cover plants with inclusion (in the Index) of figures denoting the Hardiness Zones for each species in the United States of America.

Plant Name

with link to page with photos and mail-order nursery in Comments Row

Type

with link to mail-order nursery in UK

Height x Spread in inches (cms)

Foliage

with link to mail-order nursery in USA

Flower Colour in Month(s).

Use Pest Control using Plants to provide a Companion Plant to aid your selected groundcover plant or deter its pests

Comments

United States Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zone Map - This map of USA is based on a range of average annual minimum winter temperatures, divided into 13 of 10-degree F zones, that this plant will thrive in USA, Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. There are other Hardiness Zone Maps for the rest of the world including the one for Great Britain and Ireland of zones 7a to 10a. Zone 5-9 indicates that the minimum zone temperature this plant will grow is 5 and top minimum zone temperature is 9 - above this number is too hot or below 5 is too cold for the plant. If your zone in your area of your country is within that range or your zone number is greater, then you can grow it in your garden.

Echinops bannaticus
'Blue Globe'

Herbaceous Perennial 24-72 inches (60-180 cms) in height

36 x 24
(90 x 60)

Spiny, Hairy, Grey-Green.

Dark Blue in
August-September

"Blue Globe Thistle". Globe-like spiky flower heads. Clump-forming. Vigorous
Full Sun
Zone 4-9
Well-drained soil. Native to southeast to eastern Europe.

Echinops companions - rudbeckia, helenium, hemerocallis, campanula, echinacea, monarda, smaller miscanthus, phlox, allium, nepeta, santolina, perovskia. Echinops flowers attractive to bees, last well in a vase, and are also suitable for drying (when cut before the flowers open).

Echinops ritro
'Veitch's Blue'

Herbaceous Perennial 24-72 inches (60-180 cms) in height

36 x 18
(90 x 45)

Spiny Dark Green above, White-downy below

Dark Blue in
September

"Small Globe Thistle". Good for cutting. Clump-forming and reliably repeat-flowering
Full Sun
Zone 4-9
Well-drained soil

Echinops sphaerocephalus

Herbaceous Perennial 24-72 inches (60-180 cms) in height

72 x 36
(180 x 90)

Spiny Grey-Green

Silvery-Grey in
August-September

"Great Globe Thistle". Clump-forming, and vigorous
Full Sun
Zone 4-9
Well-drained soil. Native to south and central Europe through to Russia and naturalized in western Europe.

Echium wildpretii

Evergreen Biennial 24-72 inches (60-180 cms) in height

72 x 24
(180 x 60)

Silver hairy, Light Green

Red in
June-August

Eleagnus angustifolia

Deciduous Shrub above 72 inches (180 cms) in height

240 x 240 (600 x 600)

Silvery-Grey

Creamy-Yellow in
June

"Oleaster, Russian Olive". From souhern Europe to China. The new branches coated in silvery scales.
Full Sun
Zones 7-9
Requires warm, dry summers to bring out its silvery foliage.

Eleagnus commutata

Deciduous Shrub above 72 inches (180 cms) in height

144 x 72
(360 x 180)

Intensely Silver

Yellow-White in
May

Eleagnus ebbingei
'Gilt Edge'

Evergreen Shrub above 72 inches (180 cms) in height

156 x 96
(390 x 240)

Green, Yellow margins

Silvery-White in October-November

Eleagnus ebbingei 'Limelight'

Deciduous Shrub above 72 inches (180 cms) in height

120 x 120 (300 x 300)

Silvery young leaves, become marked with Yellow and Pale Green in the centres

Creamy-White in
October-December

Enkianthus campanulatus

Deciduous Shrub above 72 inches (180 cms) in height

144 x 144 (360 x 360)

Dull Green in Spring and Summer, Bright Red in Autumn

Creamy-Yellow in
May

"Redvein Enkianthus". From Japan and southern China.
Full Sun
Zones 6-9
Moist woodland with humus-rich but not too fertile, acid soil.

Epilobium angustifolium f. album
(Chamerion angustifolium)

Deciduous Rhizome Perennial 24-72 inches (60-180 cms) in height

60 x 36
(150 x 90)

Pale to Mid-Green

White in
August-October

"Rosebay Willowherb". Rapidly colony-forming plant best admired at a distance at roadsides, woodland margins and disturbed ground. Its root system should be confined and seedheads promptly removed to prevent rapid spread.
Full Sun or Part Shade
Found throughout the northern temperate zone.
Any soil.
It is not wise to plant this plant, since 80,000 wind-borne seeds can be produced by one plant

Epimedium pubigerum

Evergreen Rhizome Perennial below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

18 x 18
(45 x 45)

Glossy Mid-Green

Creamy-White in
May-June

Unusually drought-tolerant plant making a compact clump
Part Shade
Zone 5-9
Found in damp beech woodland in southeast Bulgaria, Turkey.

Epimedium rubrum

Deciduous Rhizome Perennial below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

12 x 12
(30 x 30)

Flushed Red when young, turning Red and Reddish Brown in Autumn, and remaining throughout Winter

Crimson and Pale Yellow in
May-June

Floriferous and clump-forming.
Part Shade
Zone 4-9
Well-drained moist soil

Epimedium companions - Anemone blanda, narcissus, muscari, hyacinthoides, arisarum, hosta, astilbe, ferns, pulmonaria, brunnera, helleborus, primula; under trees and shrubs. Spring mulch of leafmould or composted bark will help maintain vigour and protect the rhizomes in cold climates.

Epimedium x versicolor
'Neosulphureum'

Evergreen Rhizome Perennial below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

12 x 12 (30 x 30)

Reddish-Purple in Spring, Dark Green in Summer and Autumn

Pale Yellow in
April-May

Clump-forming
Part Shade
Zone 5-9
Well-drained soil

Epimediums - "Barrenwort, Bishop's-hat" - thrive in the light shade of other acid-soil plants such as the taller rhododendrons, camellias and ferns. Their roots compete well with tree roots, so plant them around trees such as crab-apple and magnolia.

Eranthis cilicica

Herbaceous Tuber Perennial below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

2 x 3
(5 x 7)

Glossy, Bronze-tinged, Mid-Green

Bright Yellow in
April

Cup-shaped flowers

Eranthis hyemalis

Herbaceous Tuber Perennial below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

2 x 2
(5 x 5)

Bright Green

Bright Yellow in
March-April

"Winter Aconite". Has bright green circles of leaves below large, bright yellow flowers in late winter and early spring.

Eranthis x tubergenii
'Guinea Gold'

Herbaceous Tuber Perennial below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

4 x 2
(10 x 5)

Bronze-Green

Golden in
March

Erica arborea
'Albert's Gold'

Evergreen Shrub above 72 inches (180 cms) in height

78 x 32
(195 x 80)

Golden

See its foliage and form in the summer. When it has flowered , it then creates seedheads which are usually brown and tend to obstruct the view of the foliage that this plant may have changed to for the periods that the seedheads stay.

White in
March-May

Have a look at my comments on the Heather Beds in the Royal Horticultural Society Garden at Wisley during 2015 about labels and heather bed maintenance and Valid Label Moved Elsewhere page - this page details how to photo heathers.

Since I cannot get validated photos from heather nurseries and I cannot rely on my own photos, then I see little point in continuing the work on the remaining 836 heathers in the 9 heather galleries using the 15,451 photos taken between August 2012 to May 2015 by Heather Kavanagh and myself.

"Tree Heath". Seldom bears flowers.

More Details can be had from Heather World as linked to in the last row in this table.

Erica arborea
var. alpina

Evergreen Shrub above 72 inches (180 cms) in height

78 x 34 (195 x 85)

Mid-Green

White in
March-May

"Tree Heath".

I like heathers, but I have wasted from August 2012 to May 2015 taking photos and I could not validate those photos with their labels and I see no point in wasting further time, so see if you can find valid data somewhere else that can help you. Why cannot we have a proper plant database in the UK like the Missouri Botanical Garden and its map can show the visitor exactly where their plant is.

Erica arborea
'Estrella Gold'

Evergreen Shrub 24-72 inches (60-180 cms) in height

48 x 30 (120 x 75)

Lime Green tipped bright Yellow

White in
April-May

"Tree Heath".

Erica carnea
'Ann Sparkes'

Evergreen Shrub below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

6 x 10
(15 x 25)

Orange with bronze tips in Spring, Summer and Autumn, Crimson in Winter

Rose Pink in
February-May

"Alpine Heath, Winter Heath".

"Erica carnea is one of the hardiest of all heaths, and very easy to grow in almost any soil. Exceptionally hardy, they are able to flower through snow and ice, and are also tolerant of lime. Their dwarf hugging habit make them ideal weed smotherers, and trimming is only required every few years." from Ashwood Nurseries

Maybe you will have more luck in finding heathers correctly labelled, identity validated and suitable for viewing by the public, so that you can decide whether you want them in your garden. Perhaps instead of allowing garden staff of gardens to plant and maintain plants, they should be planted by the nursery that raised them and then that nursery maintain their plants in gardens open to the public.

Erica carnea
'Barry Sellers'

Evergreen Shrub below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

6 x 12
(15 x 30)

Yellow in Spring, Summer and Autumn, Orange in Winter

Deep Pink in
January-April

"Alpine Heath, Winter Heath, Snow Heath". From the mountains of central and southern Europe, this frost-hardy species will thrive in chalk soils.
Erica carnea is an ideal groundcover between taller shrubs or beneath deciduous trees, or in rock gardens.
Full Sun
Zones 5-9
Well-drained, chalk soil. Prune after flowering to keep plants bushy and compact.

Erica carnea 'Challenger'

Evergreen Shrub below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

6 x 18
(15 x 45)

Dark Green

Magenta in
January-April

"Alpine Heath, Winter Heath".

Erica carnea
'December Red'

Evergreen Shrub below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

6 x 18
(15 x 45)

Mid-Green

Pink in
December-February

"Alpine Heath, Winter Heath".

Erica carnea
'Eileen Porter'

Evergreen Shrub below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

8 x 8
(20 x 20)

Dark Green

Magenta with Cream sepals in
January-April

"Alpine Heath, Winter Heath".

Erica carnea 'Foxhollow'

Evergreen Shrub below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

6 x 16
(25 x 40)

Yellow with Bronze tips in Spring, Summer and Autumn, Orange/Red in Winter

Heliotrope in
January-April

"Alpine Heath, Winter Heath".

Erica carnea 'Heathwood'

Evergreen Shrub below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

6 x 14
(25 x 35)

Dark Bronze Green

Lilac Pink in
February-April

"Alpine Heath, Winter Heath".

Erica carnea
'March Seedling'

Evergreen Shrub below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

6 x 12
(15 x 30)

Mid-Green

Heliotrope in
February-May

"Alpine Heath, Winter Heath".

Erica carnea
'Myretoun Ruby'

Evergreen Shrub below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

6 x 18
(15 x 45)

Dark Green

Pink in
January-May

"Alpine Heath, Winter Heath".

Erica carnea
'Pink Spangles'

Evergreen Shrub below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

6 x 18
(15 x 45)

Mid-Green

Shell Pink in
January-May

"Alpine Heath, Winter Heath".

Erica carnea
'R.B. Cooke'

Evergreen Shrub below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

6 x 18
(15 x 45)

Mid-Green

Pink/Mauve in
December-May

"Alpine Heath, Winter Heath".

Erica carnea
'Springwood Pink'

Evergreen Shrub below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

6 x 16
(25 x 40)

Bronze in Spring, Mid-Green in Summer, Autumn and Winter

Pink in
December-May

"Alpine Heath, Winter Heath".

Erica carnea
'Springwood White'

Evergreen Shrub below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

6 x 6
(15 x 15)

Bright Green

White in
February-March

"Alpine Heath, Winter Heath".

Erica carnea
'Vivellii'

Evergreen Shrub below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

10 x 14 (25 x 35)

Bronze

Purplish-Pink in
January-April

"Alpine Heath, Winter Heath".

Erica carnea
'Westwood Yellow'

Evergreen Shrub below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

6 x 12
(15 x 30)

Yellow

Shell Pink in
February-April

"Alpine Heath, Winter Heath".

Erica ciliaris
'Corfe Castle'

Deciduous Shrub below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

9 x 14
(23 x 35)

Mid-Green, turns Bronze-Green in Winter

Rose-Pink in
August-October

"Dorset Heath".

Erica ciliaris
'David McClintock'

Deciduous Shrub below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

16 x 18 (40 x 45)

Dark Green above, White beneath

White Base with Purplish-Pink mouths in
August-October

"Dorset Heath".

Erica cinerea
'C.D. Eason'

See others in
Erica cinerea Gallery

Evergreen Shrub below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

11 x 20 (27 x 50)

Dark Green

Magenta in
June-September

"Bell Heather, Twisted Heath". Good Ground Cover.

"Erica cinerea species are commonly found on drier moors and heathlands, well worth growing for the great richness and range of their flowers. They enjoy an open, sunny position, and should be planted with plenty of peat. Acid soil is essential to grow this species successfully. Only taller varieties require pruning." from Ashwood Nurseries

Zones 5-9

Erica cinerea
'Fiddler's Gold'

Evergreen Shrub below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

10 x 18 (25 x 45)

Golden Yellow that deepens to Red

Lilac Pink in
July-August

"Bell Heather".

Erica cinerea
'Golden Hue'

Evergreen Shrub below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

14 x 28 (35 x 70)

Pale Yellow in Spring, Summer and Autumn, Yellow with Orange tips in Winter

Amethyst in
July-October

"Bell Heather".

Erica cinerea
'Pink Ice'

Evergreen Shrub below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

6 x 14
(25 x 35)

Deep Green that is Bronze when young and in Winter

Rose Pink in
July-November

"Bell Heather".

Erica darleyensis
'Ada S. Collings'

Evergreen Shrub below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

8 x 18
(20 x 45)

Dark Green

White in
December-May

"Darley Dale Heath".

"Erica x darleyensis cultivars are exceptionally hardy plants and vigorous growers. Easy to grow, they are also ideal as weed smotherers. They are lime tolerant and will flower over a long period." from Ashwood Nurseries

Zones 6-9

Erica darleyensis
'Darley Dale'

Evergreen Shrub below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

12 x 22 (30 x 55)

Mid-Green with Cream tips in Spring, Mid-Green in Summer, Autumn and Winter

Shell Pink in
November-April

"Darley Dale Heath".

Erica darleyensis
'Furzey'

Evergreen Shrub below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

14 x 24 (35 x 60)

Dark Green with Pink tips in Spring, Dark Green in Summer, Autumn and Winter

Lilac Pink in
December-May

"Darley Dale Heath".

Erica darleyensis
'Ghost Hills'

Evergreen Shrub below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

12 x 25 (30 x 62)

Light Green with Cream tips in Spring, Light Green in Summer, Autumn and Winter

Pink in
November-May

"Darley Dale Heath".

Erica darleyensis
'J.W. Porter'

Evergreen Shrub below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

12 x 24 (30 x 60)

Mid-Green with Cream tips in Spring, Mid-Green in Summer, Autumn and Winter

Heliotrope in
January-May

"Darley Dale Heath".

Erica darleyensis
'Jack H. Brummage'

Evergreen Shrub below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

12 x 24 (30 x 60)

Yellow-Orange

Heliotrope in
January-May

"Darley Dale Heath".

Erica darleyensis
'Kramers Rote'

Evergreen Shrub below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

14 x 24 (35 x 60)

Dark Bronze-Green

Magenta in
January-April

"Darley Dale Heath".

Erica darleyensis
'Margaret Porter'

Evergreen Shrub below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

8 x 18
(20 x 45)

Mid-Green with Cream tips in Spring, Mid-Green in Summer, Autumn and Winter

Lilac in
December-May

"Darley Dale Heath".

Erica darleyensis
'Silberschmeize'

Evergreen Shrub below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

14 x 32 (35 x 80)

Faintly Cream-tipped Deep-Green in Spring, later Deep Green, Tinged Red in Winter

Ashen White in
December-May

"Darley Dale Heath".

Erica darleyensis
'White Perfection'

Evergreen Shrub below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

16 x 28 (40 x 70)

Bright Green

White in
December-April

"Darley Dale Heath".

Erica erigena
'Golden Lady'

Evergreen Shrub below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

12 x 16 (30 x 40)

Bright Golden Yellow

White in
February-April

"Irish Heath, Mediterranean Heath".

"Erica erigena are a lime tolerant species, with a shapely habit making a good architectural inclusion in the heather garden. This group provides a valuable link between the main heather flowering seasons of winter and summer." from Ashwood Nurseries

Zones 7-9

Erica erigena
'Irish Dusk'

Evergreen Shrub 24-72 inches (60-180 cms) in height

24 x 18 (60 x 45)

Dark Grey-Green

Rose Pink in
November-May

"Irish Heath, Mediterranean Heath".

Erica erigena
'W.T. Rackliff'

Evergreen Shrub 24-72 inches (60-180 cms) in height

30 x 22 (75 x 55)

Rich Green

White in
February-June

"Irish Heath, Mediterranean Heath".

Erica stuartii
'Irish Lemon'

Evergreen Shrub below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

10 x 32 (25 x 80)

Lemon Yellow in Spring, Green in Summer, Autumn and Winter

Mauve in
May-September

The low-growing heaths serve very well not only as ground covers but also as borders and edging plants. Deep and tightly woven roots help prevent soil erosion on banks and slopes. These plants tolerate salt-laden coastal air and exposed windy locations. The flowers dry and last many months indoors. Heaths are excellent low-maintenance ground covers, requiring almost no attention once established.

Erica tetralix
'L.E. Underwood'

Deciduous Shrub below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

10 x 20 (25 x 50)

Grey-Green above, White beneath

Magenta in
August-October

"Cross-leaved Heath".

Erica tetralix
'Pink Star'

Deciduous Shrub below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

8 x 14
(20 x 35)

Grey-Green above, White beneath

Lilac-Pink in
August-October

"Cross-leaved Heath". Due to white colour below the leaf, it is advisable to put this plant above you vision into a rock garden to appreciate it.

Erica vagans
'Cornish Cream'

Evergreen Shrub below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

14 x 26 (35 x 65)

Bright Green

Off White in
August-November

"Cornish Heath, Wandering Heath".

"The Cornish heath - Erica vagans - make a vigorous, spreading shrub with attractive flowers in late summer and early autumn. The faded flowers add colour in winter, with shades of brown and russet. It prefers an open sunny position in any well drained soil. It will require pruning each spring to keep plants in shape." from Ashwood Nurseries

Zones 8-9

Erica vagans
'Mrs D.F. Maxwell'

Evergreen Shrub below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

12 x 18 (30 x 45)

Dark Green

Rose Pink in
August-October

"Cornish Heath, Wandering Heath".

Erigeron 'Charity'

Herbaceous Perennial 24-72 inches (60-180 cms) in height

24 x 18 (60 x 45)

Dark Green

Lilac-Pink in
July-August

Full Sun
Zone 4
Moist, fertile, free-draining soil.
Grows well in coastal conditions in raised beds. Divide every 2 or 3 years and replant.

Erigeron karvinskianus

Deciduous Rhizome Alpine below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

12 x 36
(30 x 90)

Hairy Grey- Green

Yellow centred flowers opening White and fading through Pink to Purple in
July-September

Excellent for softening stone edges and naturalizing in walls. Cut back clumps in the autumn to keep it neat and tidy. Considered a serious weed in New Zealand, where its sale is prohibited.
Zone 8-10
Found in rocky places from Mexico to Panama.

Erigeron companions - lavandula, coreopsis, iris, rudbeckia, stachys, anaphalis triplinervis, heuchera, oenothera, plox, smaller grasses, eryngium, sedum, artemisia, kniphofia.
Butterflies love the flowers

Erinacea anthyllis

Evergreen Sub-Shrub below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

12 x 36
(30 x 90)

Dark Grey-Green

Violet-Blue
in May-June

"Hedgehog Broom". This low-growing sub-shrub requires well-drained soil and it has small leaves on green stems.

Eriobotrya japonica

Evergreen Tree above 72 inches (180 cms) in height

300 x 300 (750 x 750)

Dark Green

Fragrant White in
October-April

"Loquat". Native to China and Japan. A shapely conical tree.
Full Sun
Zones 8-10
Tolerates dry soil as well as coastal conditions. Fertile, well-drained soil

Eriophyllum lanatum

Herbaceous Perennial below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

18 x 18 (45 x 45)

Silvery-Grey

Bright Yellow in
June-September

"Golden Yarrow, Woolly Sunflower, Oregon Sunshine". Clump-forming. Cutting back after flowering will help to maintain a compact habit.
Full Sun
Zone 5
Dry, infertile sandy or gravelly, well-drained soil. From western North America

Erodium manescavi

Herbaceous Perennial below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

18 x 8
(45 x 20)

Mid-Green

Magenta-Purple in
July-October

"Heron's Bill, Stork's Bill". Clump-forming. Ideal for the front of a border, rock garden and as a small-scale ground cover which takes no traffic (ie do not walk on it). Self-seeds, especially if mulched with gravel. From the Pyrenees.
Full Sun
Zone 6
Neutral to limy soil with good drainage and rich in humus - plants suffer in winter if the soil is poorly drained.

Eryngium alpinum

Herbaceous Perennial 24-72 inches (60-180 cms) in height

28 x 18
(70 x 45)

Mid-Green

Steel-Blue or White in
August-October

"Sea Holly".
Full Sun
Zone 5-8
Well-drained poor soil

Eryngium companions - Ornamental grasses, late alliums, helenium, artemisia, echinacea, brodiaea, anthemis, achillea, alchemilla mollis, hardy fuchsias, phlox paniculata, aster, galtonia; the summer border; flowers loved by bees and butterflies. Flowers can used fresh or dried (pick before all the florets are finished opening and hang them to dry).

Eryngium planum

Evergreen Perennial 24-72 inches (60-180 cms) in height

36 x 18 (90 x 45)

Dark Green

Light Blue in
August-September

"Sea Holly, Blue Eryngo". Comes from dry, poor soils in the wild
Full Sun
Zone 5-8
Well-drained poor soil

Erysimum
'Bowles' Mauve'

Evergreen Perennial 24-72 inches (60-180 cms) in height

30 x 24 (75 x 60)

Grey-Green

Mauve in
March-September

Upright, long-blooming, short-lived and can make a 48 inch high (120 cms) high hedge in the front of the border. Cut its flower stems before they finish flowering for arrangements to get it to rebloom.
Zone 6-9

Erysimum companions - aquilegia, dicentra, viola, primula, scabiosa, knautia, tulips, narcissus, hyacinth, nassella.

Erysimum cheiri

Evergreen Perennial 24-72 inches (60-180 cms) in height

23 x 12 (58 x 30)

Dark Green

Bright Yellow-Orange in
April-May

"Wallflower".

Erythronium
dens-canis

Herbaceous Bulb below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

6 x 5
(15 x 12)

Mid-Green marbled purplish-Brown

White, Pink or Lilac in
April-June

"European Dog's-Tooth Violet".

Escallonia
'Apple Blossom'

Evergreen Shrub above 72 inches (180 cms) in height

84 x 96 (210 x 240)

Glossy Dark Green

Pink in
June-July

Escallonia
'Donard Radiance'

Evergreen Shrub above 72 inches (180 cms) in height

84 x 96 (210 x 240)

Glossy Dark Green

Rose-Red in
June-July

Escallonia
'Edinensis'

Evergreen Shrub 24-72 inches (60-180 cms) in height

72 x 120 (180 x 300)

Glossy Dark Green

Pinkish-Red in
July-August

Escallonia 'Langleyensis'

Evergreen Shrub 24-72 inches (60-180 cms) in height

72 x 120 (180 x 300)

Glossy Dark Green

Bright Rose-Red in
July-August

Escallonia
'Pride of Donard'

Evergreen Shrub 24-72 inches (60-180 cms) in height

60 x 96 (150 x 240)

Glossy Dark Green

Light Red in
July-August

Escallonia rubra
var. macrantha

Evergreen Shrub above 72 inches (180 cms) in height

120 x 120 (300 x 300)

Glossy Dark Green

Rose-Red in
June-August

Eucalyptus gunnii

Evergreen Tree above 72 inches (180 cms) in height

840 x 240 (2100 x 600)

Silver-Blue in Spring, Blue-Green in Summer, Autumn and Winter

White in
July

"Gum Tree".

Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. niphophil

Evergreen Tree above 72 inches (180 cms) in height

240 x 360 (600 x 900)

Grey-Green

...

"Alpine Snow Gum". Grows at altitudes over 5,000 feet (150,000 cms) where snow lies through most of the winter.
Full Sun
Zones 7-9
Poor or degraded, well-drained, soil

Eucryphia x nymansensis 'Nymansay'

Evergreen Tree above 72 inches (180 cms) in height

480 x 300 (1200 x 750)

Dark Green above, paler beneath

White in
August-September

A small compact tree of narrow habit.
Tree in Full Sun, but the roots shaded
Zones 8-9
Requires humid microclimate and constant soil moisture combined with good drainage. Atlantic coastal districts of British Isles suits them well.

Euonymus fortunei
'Emerald and Gold'

Evergreen Shrub below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

18 x 24
(45 x 60)

Green edged Yellow in Spring, Summer and Autumn, Green edged Red in Winter

Greenish-White in
June-July

Euonymus fortunei spreads or climbs by aerial roots like ivy and can climb a brick or stone wall as high as 240 inches (600 cms). As a groundcover it has an indefinite spread, but it is mostly more compact forms that are grown in gardens

Euonymus fortunei
'Sarcoxie'

Evergreen Shrub 24-72 inches (60-180 cms) in height

48 x 48 (120 x 120)

Glossy Dark Green

...

"Wintercreeper". Highly effective at trailing over walls or between rocks and stepping-stones.

Euonymus alatus
'Compactus'

Deciduous Shrub 24-72 inches (60-180 cms) in height

36 x 120 (90 x 300)

Dark Green in Spring and Summer, Brilliant Dark Red in Autumn

Greenish-White in
June-August

"Winged Spindle, Winged Euonymus". From Japan, China and Korea. Spreading and much branched.
Full Sun and sheltered from wind
Zones 5-9
Fertile, well-drained soil. Birds attracted to its seeds.

Euonymus fortunei
'Silver Queen'

Evergreen Shrub above 2 feet in height

96 x 60 (240 x 150)

Yellow in Spring, Green with White margins in Summer, Autumn and Winter

Greenish-White in
April-May

Eupatorium cannabinum

Herbaceous Perennial 24-72 inches (60-180 cms) in height

60 x 48 (150 x 120)

Mid to Dark Green

Pink, Purple or White in
July-October

"Hemp Agrimony". Self-sows and considered a weed in Britain.
Zone 3-8
Grows in sunny, wet places in most of Europe, including Britain.

Companions - Grasses, sedum 'Herbstfreude', hydrangea paniculata, echinacea purpurea, helenium autumnale, aster, cimicifuga, solidago, rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii 'Goldsturm'; attractive to butterflies and bees; flowers are good for both fresh and dried arrangements.

Euphorbia amygdaloides

Evergreen Perennial 24-72 inches (60-180 cms) in height

30 x 12
(75 x 30)

Matt Dark Green above, Red beneath

Greenish-Yellow in
May-July

"Wood Spurge". Self-sows. Produces their flowers in the second year and then that flowering shoot dies to the base.
Part Shade
Zone 4-9
Fertile soil rich in organic matter. May seed around and often forms large drifts. From woodland edges and glades in western Europe to Central Asia and the Mediterranean.

Euphorbia amygdaloides
var. robbiae

Evergreen Perennial below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

18 x 24 (45 x 60)

Shiny Dark Green

Lime-Green in
April-May

Part Shade
Zone 4-9
Fertile soil rich in organic matter. Interplant this with Geranium phaeum in front of it

Euphorbia companions -
Euphorbia characias stands alone or with large grasses and helleborus argutifolius;
Euphorbia schillingii, with helianthus, taller veronicas, geranium psilostemon, and Geranium 'Ann Folkard';
Euphorbia griffithii with geum 'Borisii', geranium phaeum, hemerocallis, carex, and iris sibirica.
Pair smaller varieties with heuchera and plantago and use as forground plants in rock gardens.

Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii

Evergreen Shrub 24-72 inches (60-180 cms) in height

36 x 36 (90 x 90)

Grey-Green

Yellow-Green in
April-June

"Frog-spawn Bush".
Full Sun, Part Shade
Zone 7-9
Fertile, well-drained soil.
Remove flowering shoots as low as possible after seeds have been shed, or the crown of the plant may become very congested.
From dry rocky places in the Mediterranean region, but naturalized elswhere in Europe, including Britain.

Euphorbia cyparissias

Herbaceous Perennial below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

12 x indefinite (30 x indefinite)

Bluish-Green, turn Yellow in Autumn

Yellow-Green in
June-August

"Cypress Spurge". Very aggressive - it produces runners below the soil, often secretly during the winter, and shoots can appear in the spring in the middle of its neighbours as much as 40 inches (100cms) from the original plant.
Full Sun
Zone 3-8
Fertile soil, but should never be planted near delicate plants. Naturalized in most of North America and cited as noxious in Colorado. Keep it contained within a pot and the pot's rim should be at least 1 inch above ground level - use up-ended concrete slabs to contain it in a larger area.

Euphorbia griffithii

Herbaceous Perennial 24-72 inches (60-180 cms) in height

36 x 24 (90 x 60)

Dark Green, turn Red and Yellow in Autumn

Yellow and Red in
July

"Griffith's Spurge". Good autumn foliage colour.
Full Sun, Part Shade
Zone 6-9
Requires moist soil to stay more tightly clumped also with rich soil. From eastern Himalaya, Burma, Tibet and China.

Euphorbia myrsinites

Evergreen Alpine below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

4 x 12
(10 x 30)

Blue-Grey

Greenish-Yellow
in April-June

"Donkeytail Spurge". Short-lived, self
-sows.
Full Sun
Zone 5-9
Well-drained soil. Best grown in hanging baskets or containers with crown lasting for only 2 years. Naturalized in North America and a noxious weed in some states.

Euphorbia polychroma
(Euphorbia epithymoides)

Evergreen Perennial below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

20 x 20 (50 x 50)

Mid-Green

Bright Yellow in
April-May, then fades to shades through the summer, followed by seed capsules with red protuberances in August

"Cushion Spurge". Extremely reliable, clump-former forming hemispherical domes. Requires staking to prevent it falling apart.
Full Sun
Zone 4-8
Fertile soil

Euryops acraeus

Evergreen Alpine below 24 inches (60 cms) in height

12 x 12
(30 x 30)

Silvery-Grey

Deep Yellow
in June-July

It has waxy silver leaves and bright yellow, daisy-type flowers. It needs a well-drained site protected from winter rain.

Exochorda x macrantha
'The Bride'

Deciduous Shrub 24-72 inches (60-180 cms) in height

72 x 96 (180 x 240)

Light to Mid-Green

White in
May-June

Masses of white flowers on arching stems in spring.
Full Sun with shelter from wind
Zones 6-9
Well-drained soil. Prune older stems back to their bases after flowering for vigorous new growth and abundant flowers

Height in inches (cms):-

25.4mm = 1 inch
304.8mm = 12 inches
12 inches = 1 foot
3 feet = 1 yard
914.4mm = 1 yard

I normally round this to
25mm = 1 inch
300mm = 30 cms = 12 inches =1 foot,
900 mm = 3 feet = 1 yard and
1000mm = 100 cms = 1 metre = 40 inches

Site design and content copyright ©December 2006. Page structure changed September 2012. Height x Spread in feet changed to Height x Spread in inches (cms) May 2015. Data added to existing pages December 2017. Zone and Companion Data added April 2022. Chris Garnons-Williams.

DISCLAIMER: Links to external sites are provided as a courtesy to visitors. Ivydene Horticultural Services are not responsible for the content and/or quality of external web sites linked from this site.  

Details of smaller Erigeron, Erinacea, Erodium and Erythronium and which container to grow the plant in:-

• A. The plant can be grown in sinks, trough, pans or scree beds
• B. The plant is best accommodated in a trough or sink.
• C. Suitable for peat beds and raised beds (suitable for alpine rhododendrons)

Welcome to Heather World

Heather World extends a very warm welcome to everyone entering the world of heathers, especially to newcomers who have recently developed an interest in these attractive shrubs. The four heathers groups, Andromeda, Calluna, Daboecia and Erica are shown in the cultivar lists, together with images of many.

Every aspect of heathers, from the wild heathers of European heaths and moorlands to the rare and unusual splendours of South African or “Cape” heaths can be seen here. Cultivation tips, including choosing, growing and propagating heathers, to scientific studies and nomenclature, are available. Here is the Publications published by The Heather Society.

The website was also home to the old Heather Society, a group of heather enthusiasts who were dedicated to enhancing the interest in heathers to the world. The society closed at the end of 2020, but their Yearbooks and Newsletters can be viewed here.

To locate mail-order nursery for plants from the UK in this gallery try using search in RHS Find a Plant.

To locate plants in the European Union (EU) try using Search Term in Gardens4You and Meilland Richardier in France.

To locate mail-order nursery for plants from America in this gallery try using search in Plant Lust.

To locate plant information in Australia try using Plant Finder in Gardening Australia.

To see what plants that I have described in this website see
Plant Botanical Index
...A, B, C, D, E,
...F, G, H, I, J, K,
...L, M, N, O, P, Q,
...R, S, T, U, V, W,
...X, Y, Z

Top ten plants that are bad for bees from Countryfile Magazine

"Lavender, alliums, fuschias, sweet peas - keen gardeners know the very best flowers to entice bees to their gardens. But what about plants that are  bad for bees? Here is our expert guide to the top ten plants that you should avoid to keep bees happy and buzzing, plus the perfect alternatives.

1. Rhododendron
Spectacular and beautiful, not many people know the common rhododendron hides a poisonous secret – its nectar is toxic to bees. It’s common practice for beekeepers to keep their hives closed until the flowering season is over. The resulting honey from rhododendrons has also been known to contaminate honey, making it unsafe for humans to eat.
Alternative: Clematis have beautiful, wide flowers and are 100 per cent bee-friendly.

2. Azalea
Rhododendron’s sister, azaleas are also toxic to bees.
Alternative: Foxgloves (Digitalis) are a bee favourite and despite being poisonous if consumed by humans, they are both honey and bee safe.

3. Trumpet flower, or angel’s trumpet (Brugmansia suaveolens)
Though ornamental and sweet smelling, the trumpet flower’s nectar can cause brood death in bees and is best avoided.
Alternative: Try honeysuckle (Lonicera) instead for deliciously scented results.

4. Oleander (Nerium oleander)
Harmful to butterflies as well as bees, oleander has a severe effect on hives. Nectar taken to the hive concentrates as it dries out, which increases the amount of toxins and usually results in a mass hive wipeout. 
Alternative: Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus) are equally as bright and arguably more attractive in small or large gardens.

5. Yellow Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens)
Pleasantly aromatic and attractive as they are, bees are often poisoned by the vines and flowers of the yellow jessamine and its toxins are said to be as severe as hemlock.
Alternative: Plant Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta) in tubs and along fences for a pretty, easy-to-grow substitute.

6. Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia)
Part of the blueberry family, the mountain laurel is an evergreen shrub with sweet, white or pink flowers when in bloom. Pretty they may be, but the honey produced by mountain laurel is toxic to humans and is often bitter tasting.
Alternative: Lilacs (Syringa) are both beautiful and wonderfully sweet smelling. Easy to grow and are loved by bees and butterflies. 

7. Stargazer lily (Lilium 'Stargazer')
Stunning but deadly to cats, stargazer lilies’ pollen is poisonous to bees.
Alternative: Hollyhocks (Alcea) are impressive and just as beautiful as the stargazer but bee-friendly.

8. Heliconia Exotic and interesting, heliconia, or lobster-claws as its sometimes called, is very toxic to bees. You should not prune your heliconias, as the 'stem' is actually made up of rolled leaf bases and the flowers emerge from the top of these 'pseudostems'. However, each stem will only flower once, so after flowering you can cut that stem out. This is recommended, to encourage more flowering, to increase airflow in between the stems of your plant, and also to generally tidy it up and improve the appearance.
Alternative: Although not quite as exotic, hyacinths are fragrant, gorgeous and easy to grow. Hyacinth bulbs are poisonous; they contain oxalic acid. Handling hyacinth bulbs can cause mild skin irritation. Protective gloves are recommended.

9. Bog rosemary (Andromeda polifolia -
All parts of the plant contain andromedotoxin and are considered poisonous)
Not to be confused with the herb, bog rosemary is acutely poisonous and the honey produced from the nectar of Andromeda polifolia contains high enough levels of grayanotoxin to cause full body paralysis and potentially fatal breathing difficulties due to diaphragm paralysis.
Alternative: Why not try planting a classic rosemary bush (Rosmarinus officinalis) – aromatic, resilient and favoured by bees.

10. Amaryllis (Hippeastrum)
Now most commonly recognised as decorative Christmas flowers, amaryllis are gorgeous in bloom but their pollen produces toxic honey. Bulbs, chewing or ingestion of the bulbs, leaves or flowers poisons goats and sheep with Lycorine (An emetic) and small amounts of alkaloids.
Alternative: Dahlias are a highlight of late summer gardens. Beautiful and simple to grow, dahlias often flower until the first frosts of the year."

This is another list of Plants toxic to bees, which includes:-
Aesculus californica,
Astralagus species,
Cuscuta species,
Cyrilla racemiflora,
Solanum nigram,
Veratrum cailfornicum,
Zygadenus cenesosus,
Corynocarpus laevigata,
Angelica triqueta,
Astralagus lentiginosus,
Camellia thea,
Ochrama lagopus,
Sophora microphylla,
Tillia species,
Verartrum californicum,
Asclepias species,
Astralagus miser v. serotibus.

The following details come from Cactus Art:-

"A flower is the the complex sexual reproductive structure of Angiosperms, typically consisting of an axis bearing perianth parts, androecium (male) and gynoecium (female).    

Bisexual flower show four distinctive parts arranged in rings inside each other which are technically modified leaves: Sepal, petal, stamen & pistil. This flower is referred to as complete (with all four parts) and perfect (with "male" stamens and "female" pistil). The ovary ripens into a fruit and the ovules inside develop into seeds.

Incomplete flowers are lacking one or more of the four main parts. Imperfect (unisexual) flowers contain a pistil or stamens, but not both. The colourful parts of a flower and its scent attract pollinators and guide them to the nectary, usually at the base of the flower tube.

Androecium (male Parts or stamens)
It is made up of the filament and anther, it is the pollen producing part of the plant.
Anther This is the part of the stamen that produces and contains pollen. 
Filament This is the fine hair-like stalk that the anther sits on top of.
Pollen This is the dust-like male reproductive cell of flowering plants.

Gynoecium (female Parts or carpels or pistil)
 It is made up of the stigma, style, and ovary. Each pistil is constructed of one to many rolled leaflike structures.
Stigma
This is the part of the pistil  which receives the pollen grains and on which they germinate. 
Style
This is the long stalk that the stigma sits on top of ovary. 
Ovary
The part of the plant that contains the ovules. 
Ovule
The part of the ovary that becomes the seeds. 

Petal 
The colorful, often bright part of the flower (corolla). 
Sepal 
The parts that look like little green leaves that cover the outside of a flower bud (calix). 
(Undifferentiated "Perianth segment" that are not clearly differentiated into sepals and petals, take the names of tepals.)"

The following details come from Nectary Genomics:-

"NECTAR. Many flowering plants attract potential pollinators by offering a reward of floral nectar. The primary solutes found in most nectars are varying ratios of sucrose, glucose and fructose, which can range from as little a 8% (w/w) in some species to as high as 80% in others. This abundance of simple sugars has resulted in the general perception that nectar consists of little more than sugar-water; however, numerous studies indicate that it is actually a complex mixture of components. Additional compounds found in a variety of nectars include other sugars, all 20 standard amino acids, phenolics, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenes, vitamins, organic acids, oils, free fatty acids, metal ions and proteins.

NECTARIES. An organ known as the floral nectary is responsible for producing the complex mixture of compounds found in nectar. Nectaries can occur in different areas of flowers, and often take on diverse forms in different species, even to the point of being used for taxonomic purposes. Nectaries undergo remarkable morphological and metabolic changes during the course of floral development. For example, it is known that pre-secretory nectaries in a number of species accumulate large amounts of starch, which is followed by a rapid degradation of amyloplast granules just prior to anthesis and nectar secretion. These sugars presumably serve as a source of nectar carbohydrate.

WHY STUDY NECTAR? Nearly one-third of all worldwide crops are dependent on animals to achieve efficient pollination. In addition, U.S. pollinator-dependent crops have been estimated to have an annual value of up to $15 billion. Many crop species are largely self-incompatible (not self-fertile) and rely almost entirely on animal pollinators to achieve full fecundity; poor pollinator visitation has been reported to reduce yields of certain species by up to 50%."

The following details about DOUBLE FLOWERS comes from Wikipedia:-

"Double-flowered" describes varieties of flowers with extra petals, often containing flowers within flowers. The double-flowered trait is often noted alongside the scientific name with the abbreviation fl. pl. (flore pleno, a Latin ablative form meaning "with full flower"). The first abnormality to be documented in flowers, double flowers are popular varieties of many commercial flower types, including roses, camellias and carnations. In some double-flowered varieties all of the reproductive organs are converted to petals — as a result, they are sexually sterile and must be propagated through cuttings. Many double-flowered plants have little wildlife value as access to the nectaries is typically blocked by the mutation.

There is further photographic, diagramatic and text about Double Flowers from an education department - dept.ca.uky.edu - in the University of Kentucky in America.

"Meet the plant hunter obsessed with double-flowering blooms" - an article from The Telegraph.

THE 2 EUREKA EFFECT PAGES FOR UNDERSTANDING SOIL AND HOW PLANTS INTERACT WITH IT OUT OF 10,000:-

• THE INTERACTION BETWEEN THE 2 QUARTZ GRAIN SIBLINGS, and
• HOW ROOTS OF PLANTS ARE IN CONTROL IN THE SOIL
• before continuing in this website.

Explanation of Structure of this Website with User Guidelines Page for those photo galleries with Photos (of either ones I have taken myself or others which have been loaned only for use on this website from external sources)

Choose 1 of these different Plant selection Methods:-

1. Choose a plant from 1 of 53 flower colours in the Colour Wheel Gallery.

2. Choose a plant from 1 of 12 flower colours in each month of the year from 12 Bloom Colours per Month Index Gallery.

3. Choose a plant from 1 of 6 flower colours per month for each type of plant:-

Aquatic
Bedding
Bulb
Climber
Conifer
Deciduous Shrub
Deciduous Tree
Evergreen Perennial
Evergreen Shrub
Evergreen Tree
Hedging
Herbaceous Perennial
Herb
Odds and Sods
Rhododendron nectar and the nectar from the plants in the fifth row above are toxic to bees
Rose
Soft Fruit
Top Fruit
Wild Flower

4. Choose a plant from its Flower Shape:-

Shape, Form
Index
Flower Shape

5. Choose a plant from its foliage:-

Bamboo
Conifer
Fern
Grass
Vegetable

6. There are 6 Plant Selection Levels including Bee Pollinated Plants for Hay Fever Sufferers in Plants Topic.

or

7. when I do not have my own or ones from mail-order nursery photos , then from March 2016, if you want to start from the uppermost design levels through to your choice of cultivated and wildflower plants to change your Plant Selection Process then use the following galleries:-

• Create and input all plants known by Amateur Gardening inserted into their Sanders' Encyclopaedia from their edition published in 1960 (originally published by them in 1895) into these
  • Stage 1 - Garden Style Index Gallery,
    then
  • Stage 2 - Infill Plants Index Gallery being the only gallery from these 7 with photos (from Wikimedia Commons) ,
    then
  • Stage 3 - All Plants Index Gallery with each plant species in its own Plant Type Page followed by choice from Stage 4a, 4b, 4c and/or 4d REMEMBERING THE CONSTRAINTS ON THE SELECTION FROM THE CHOICES MADE IN STAGES 1 AND 2
  • Stage 4a - 12 Bloom Colours per Month Index Gallery,
  • Stage 4b - 12 Foliage Colours per Month Index Gallery with
  • Stage 4c - Cultivation, Position, Use Index Gallery and
  • Stage 4d - Shape, Form Index Gallery
  • Unfortunately, if you want to have 100's of choices on selection of plants from 1000's of 1200 pixels wide by up to 16,300 pixels in length webpages, which you can jump to from almost any of the pages in these 7 galleries above, you have to put up with those links to those choices being on
    • the left topic menu table,
    • the header of the middle data table and on
    • the page/index menu table on the right of every page of those galleries.

There are other pages on Plants which bloom in each month of the year in this website:-

• 12 Bloom Colours per Month Index
• Plants Blue, Orange, Red, Yellow, White, Other Colours which lead on to other pages
• Colour Wheel - All Flowers per Month 12
• Bedding
• Bulb
• Climber
• Deciduous Shrub
• Deciduous Tree
• Evergreen Perennial
• Evergreen Shrub
• Evergreen Tree
• Herbaceous Perennial
• Rhododendron
• Rose
• Wild Flower

• Plants for Cut Flowers in
  January
  February
  March
  April
  May
  June
  July
  August
  September
  October
  November
  December
• Climber 3 sector Vertical Plant System with flowers in
  Jan,
  Feb,
  Mar,
  Apr,
  May 1, 2
  Jun,
  Jul,
  Aug,
  Sep,
  Oct,
  Nov,
  Dec

• Indoor Bulbs for
  December
  January
  February
• Indoor Bulbs for
  March
  April
  May
• Indoor
  Bulbs for
  June
  July
  August
• Indoor Bulbs for
  September
  October
  November
• Plant Bloom
  Dec-Jan
  Feb-Mar
• Plant Bloom
  Apr-May
  Jun-Aug
• Plant Bloom
  Sep-Oct
  Nov-Dec