Ruby (H5) flowers, VII–VIII, abundant; dark green foliage; upright but often weighed down by the flowers; height 10–15cm; spread 31–45cm. Well worth growing.
Wild-collected; found on Bucklebury Common near Newbury, Berkshire, England, by William R. A. Parsons (Wood Close, Upper Woolhampton, Berkshire); introduced by W. R. A. Parsons by 1977.
Named after a common near Newbury, Berkshire, where it was found.
Magenta (H14) flowers, VI–VIII, fading almost to white; mid-green foliage; broad habit; height 16–20cm; spread 31–45cm.
Wild-collected; found in Cairn Valley, Glencairn near Moniaive, Dumfriesshire, Scotland, by J. Wilson; introduced by Oliver & Hunter (Moniaive, Dumfries, Scotland) in 1967.
Named after a valley in the parish of Glencairn, Moniave, Dumfries, Scotland.
Amethyst (H1) flowers, VI–X; dark green foliage; height 21–25cm; spread 46–60cm. Outstanding.
Wild-collected; found on Caldy Island off the Pembrokeshire coast, Wales; introduced by R. Hayes (Grasmere, Cumbria, England) by 1955.
Named after the island on which it was collected.
Correct name ‘Underwood Pink‘
Bright magenta (H14) flowers, VI–IX; dark green foliage; neat ground-cover; height 21–25cm; spread 46–60cm. Recommended.
Wild-collected; found near Broadstone, Dorset, England, by C. D. Eason, and introduced by Maxwell & Beale (Broadstone, Dorset) in 1929.
Named after the finder, Charles Douglas Eason (c. 1892-1972), an Australian, who was employed by Maxwell & Beale.
Mauve (H2) flowers, VII–X; mid-green foliage; compact spreading habit; height 26–30cm; spread 61–75cm. A good carpeting heather.
Wild-collected; found in the Cévennes, France, by Sir Oscar Warburg (Epsom, Surrey, England) and Dr E. F. Warburg (Oxford University); introduced by the Royal Horticultural Society’s Gardens, Wisley, in the 1930s.
Named after the locality where it was found, in France.
Rose-pink (H7) flowers, VI–X; mid-green foliage; graceful habit; height 26–30cm; spread 61–75cm.
Wild-collected; found on Corfe Mullen Heath, Dorset, England, by C. G. Best of Maxwell & Beale which firm introduced it in 1929.
Named after the finder, C. G. Best, an employee of Maxwell & Beale.
Dusky rose-pink flowers, VII–X, in long spikes; mid-green foliage; upright; height 31–45cm; spread 31–45cm.
Seedling; found at Champs Hill, Coldwaltham, Sussex, England, by Mrs M. A. Bowerman in 1976.
Named after the Bowermans’ garden in West Sussex where it was found.
Purple (H10) flowers for a long period, VI–XI; dark green foliage; height 16–20cm; spread 46–60cm. Recommended.
Wild-collected; found during a ramble in Cornwall, England, by Mr & Mrs J. F. Letts (Foxhollow, Windlesham, Surrey); introduced by J. F. Letts about 1966.
Named after one of the finders’ Sheltie dogs. (see also ‘Sherry‘).
Ruby (H5) flowers, VI–VIII; dark green foliage; neat compact habit; height 16–20cm; spread 31–45cm. One of the first bell heathers to bloom.
Name used by 1823 and current in the mid-1800s; also used by Maxwell & Beale (Broadstone, Dorset, England) in the 1920s, but whether the same plant was involved is impossible to ascertain. The clone now in gardens is probably Maxwell & Beale’s.
Named from coccineus = red.
