1 / 3

Key characteristics

Family: Ericaceae
Height: 18 to 20 inches
Width: 18 to 20 inches
Flower color: Bright purple-pink
Foliage color: Bright chartreuse and primrose yellow in spring, transitioning to brilliant shades of orange and red in early fall
Bloom time: Late summer
Light: Full sun to part shade
Water: Average
Maintenance: Low; prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape
Growing zone: USDA zones 5 to 9
Wildlife: Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds

Groundcovers

Calluna vulgaris 'Firefly'

Firefly Heather

Calluna vulgaris 'Firefly' is a compact cultivar of the heather plant, known for its bright and vibrant foliage. The plant features small, needle-like leaves that shift from a rich green to hues of golden yellow during the warmer months, often turning to a deep red during the fall and winter. This seasonal color change adds visual interest throughout the year. 'Firefly' blooms in late summer to early fall, producing small, pinkish-purple flowers that cover the plant in delicate clusters, enhancing its ornamental appeal.

Light

Full sun to part shade

Water

Average

Bloom time

Late summer

Find this plant

Works well in

Pollinator Gardens
Containers
Borders
Rock Gardens

Companion plants

Blue fescues · Dwarf conifers · Sedums · Rockrose · Lavender · Creeping thymes

Design tip

Echo this heather's changing foliage by repeating warm-toned plants nearby that reach their peak in different seasons. The layered progression of gold, orange, red, and purple creates a landscape that evolves continuously rather than relying on a single moment of color.

Printable plant sheet (PDF)