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Heaths & Heathers

Is Erica cinerea 'Purple Bell' a real cultivar, or a common name?

16 years ago

Lowes is carrying a heath right now that's labelled Erica cinerea 'Purple Bell'. I looked for it on the Heaths and Heathers online catalog, and they don't have a cultivar named Purple Bell (though they do have Purple Beauty, which looks very similar in the picture). I have seen Erica cinerea referred to as "Bell Heather", so I was wondering if maybe this is just another version of the common name.

Anyone know the specifics of 'Purple Bell'? It sure looks pretty.

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Comments (2)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
16 years ago
The accepted botanical name for this cultivar is Erica cinerea 'Atropurpurea' but one most often finds it labeled simply as 'Purple Bell'. I guess growers think "atropurpurea" is too much of a mouthful :-) It is one of the earliest flowering of the cinerea cultivars and features large, purple bell-shaped flowers.
thane
Original Author
16 years ago
Heh! That explains it. 'Purple Bell' is definitely more consumer-friendly.

Interesting that there's not a picture of Atropurpurea in the Heaths & Heathers online catalog. Maybe Karla thinks it's boring.
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