Plant of the Month - November 2009: Calluna vulgaris 'Firefly'

• Plant of the Month - November 2009:
  Calluna Vulgaris ‘Firefly’
  
  As fall settles over the city, leaves drop from the trees revealing a wide grey sky. The plant of the month for November is a flaming torch of color under the cold skies of winter. Calluna vulgaris ‘Firefly’ (Firefly Heather) is a low-growing woody shrub that has four season appeal. New foliage emerges a bright chartreuse green, and fades to oranges and red by the fall. This low-care plant needs little water once established, and I have never pruned mine in the four years that it’s been growing in my front garden. Firefly looks great paired with blue-leaved grasses such as blue oat and blue fescue. Plant it in drifts as a colorful and textural addition to a contemporary theme or use as a specimen in a rock garden. Firefly also looks great in container gardens where its spectacular foliage is a great counterpoint to spreading purple flowers like lantana.
  
  Vital information:


• Full sun


• 18” tall by 24” wide


• USDA Hardiness: zones 5 to 8


• Water: moist to dry


• Flowers in summer – light purple


• Drought tolerant


• 4 Season appeal


• Flowers in summer with bright new foliage.

'Firefly' in the foreground with blue fescue.