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Erica × darleyensis f. aureifolia 'Golden Perfect'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

heather 'Golden Perfect'

A dwarf shrub with a broad, spreading, compact habit, forming a low mound 40cm high, with golden-yellow leaves which become yellow-green in winter, and white flowers with brown anthers, from early winter to late spring; most Erica species and cultivars are excellent plants for all types of bees

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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring White Gold
Summer Gold
Autumn Gold
Winter White Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Ericaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Erica can be prostrate or erect, evergreen shrubs with fine, needle-like leaves in whorls, and racemes or panicles of small, bell-shaped or tubular flowers

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in full sun, in well-drained, preferably acidic, sandy or organic soil; will grow in poor soils, and will tolerate neutral and mildly alkaline soils; for more advice, see heather cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings from mid-summer to late summer, or by mound-layering in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Rock garden
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Banks and slopes
  • Ground cover
Pruning

Pruning group 1 (little or no pruning of trees and shrubs) or pruning group 10 (evergreen shrubs) after flowering, to maintain compact habit

Pests

Generally pest-free, but rabbits may damage young plants

Diseases

May be susceptible to fungal diseases, including honey fungus (rarely), and Phytophthora root rot, in wet conditions

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