About
Erica canaliculata, the channelled heath, is a freely branching tree heath making a large, evergreen shrub to 2 m with tiny, intensely green, channelled, linear leaves and large sprays of white or pink-tinged, bell-shaped flowers 3 mm long with conspicuous, protruding, dark-brown anthers. A showy and ornamental winter and spring-flowering heath for a mild, sunny position.
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, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeConservatory Greenhouse, Shrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesMixed borders, hedging, foundation planting.
Native toS Africa
Care notes
CultivationGrow outdoors in fertile but well-drained soil in a warm frost-free area. Grow under glass in peat-free, loam-based compost in full or bright filtered light. Tip prune in spring to promote branching.
PruningPruning group 11
PropagationPropagate by leaf-bud or stem tip cuttings, or by layering in spring or summer
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to fungal diseases, including honey fungus (rarely), and Phytophthora root rot, in wet conditions