Bell Heather

The North York Moors are well known for the carpets of heather which flower between July and September and cover large areas of moorland. There are three main types of heather, and the first of them to flower is the Bell Heather.

Bell Heather, is a species of flowering plant in the heath family Ericaceae, native to western and central Europe.

The plant provides a great deal of nectar for pollinators. It was rated in the top 5 for most nectar production (nectar per unit cover per year) in a UK plants survey conducted by the AgriLand project which is supported by the UK Insect Pollinators Initiative.

This small cluster of heather was found near the Sutton Bank visitor centre. It has a much darker colour than the types of heather that flower later. There are much larger displays of Bell Heather beside the road from Hutton le Hole northwards towards Blakey Ridge.

It is common for bee keepers to move their hives close to heather locations at this time of year, so the production of heather honey can take place.

Ian

[bkb in the city]

Beautiful

[Peter Dulis]

Lovely

[~*~ Jo ~*~]

Lovely

[Judith Johnson]

Super detailed capture

[Nina Ganci]

very pretty, cheerful colour

[Jesika]

I remember my American friend's reaction when we drove from Manchester to York and she saw the Moors in all their glory...

[carol white]

Lovely heather capture.Fav😊

[Margaret Brown]

Beautiful Ian, we have been on the moor this afternoon. The bell heather is better this year than other years so maybe we will get a good show on the purple Ling in August, it has been poor for a number of years.

[gloria jones]

wonderful capture and colors

[Pyrrhula]

Beautiful close up of the heather flowers. Fav.

[Peter H]

Great information, thanks.

[leggzy]

Gorgeous

[Kathy A]

Pretty shape and lovely colour!

[Wylie]

very pretty

[Dione Giorgio]

Lovely shot and colours. A very interesting read too.

[Casablanca]

So deliciously Summery

[Fisher Family]

@bkbinthecity @pdulis @ziggy77 @busylady @ninaganci @jesika2 @carolmw @craftymeg @seattlite @pyrrhula @peadar @leggzy @kjarn @pusspup @sangwann @casablanca

Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.

I aways look forward to the moors being transformed with a carpet of heather in August, and this year is the same. There have been several years of poor heather displays, the last really good year being 2017, so hopefully this year will be a good year as well. There is something special about that first look at the moorland covered in ling heather. Not long to wait now!

Ian