About
Erica australis, the Spanish heath, is a freely branching, mid-sized evergreen shrub to around 2 m with tiny, linear leaves and clusters of tube-shaped, pink to rose-purple flowers 10 mm long at the shoot tips in late spring and early summer. A showy and ornamental heath for a sunny, well-drained, lime-free soil.
About the genus
Erica, the heaths and heathers, are a large genus of evergreen shrubs with fine, needle-like leaves in whorls and racemes or panicles of small, bell-shaped or tubular flowers. They include compact, low-growing garden heathers and tall, tree-like species from the Mediterranean and South Africa.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCoastal, Cottage and informal garden, Mediterranean climate plants, Wildlife gardens
Native toW Iberian Peninsula, Tangier
Care notes
CultivationGrow in well-drained acidic soil in full sun. See Hardy heathers for further advice
PruningPruning group 8
PropagationPropagate by semi-hardwood cuttings
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to fungal diseases, including honey fungus (rarely), and Phytophthora root rot, in wet conditions