Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Few plants rival the Firefly heather as a groundcover to bring brilliant color and year-round interest to a landscape. This evergreen shrub showcases lime, chartreuse, and primrose yellow foliage in spring to summer before transforming into a brilliant orange and red then deeper red into fall and winter. Spires of semi-double bright purple-pink flowers appear late in the summer. The long-lived Firefly heather is known scientifically as Calluna vulgaris ‘Firefly’.
The Firefly heather is a fairly easy to grow plant, making it an excellent addition to low-maintenance landscapes. The flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds, so it is also a groundcover option for pollinator gardens. Brilliant foliage makes the Firefly heather a great way to add winter color to a landscape and contrast with green evergreens or fill in sparse areas. It is a solid performer in rock and cottage gardens and on slopes.
Firefly Heather Care
The Firefly heather will perform best and achieve the most brilliant color possible in full sun, although part shade in the heat of summer can keep the plant healthier. It grows well in moist and cool climates and prefers sandy or gravelly soils that are moist, acidic, and well-drained. Protect the heather from strong winds, if possible, and mulch with peat moss or another organic material to keep the soil from drying out. Water new plants regularly during hot weather and check established plants for occasional watering during extended dry spells.
Prune the Firefly heather lightly each year in early spring before new growth emerges. Without this tidying up, the plant will start to look scraggly.
Firefly Heather Spacing
The Firefly heather grows about 18 inches high and 24 inches wide. Space plants as far apart as this maximum width to ensure good air circulation. Stick to the 24 inch spacing if you want plants to eventually mound together.
Firefly Heather Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 5 to 9 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Part Shade to Full Sun (3+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 2 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 2 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Spreading
- Water Needs
- Low
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Pink
- Flower Description
- Pink
- Bloom Time
- Summer to Fall
- Blooms On
-
New Wood
?
"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Late winter to early spring, before new growth starts
- Foliage Color
- , Green
- Foliage Description
- Green
- Foliage Type
- , Evergreen
- Seasonal Interest
- , Summer Flowering
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Firefly Heather
- Botanical Name
- CALLUNA VULGARIS 'FIREFLY'
- Plant Type
- Shrub
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
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This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
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