About
Prostrate evergreen shrub 10-15cm tall and spreading to 45cm wide, with fine, slender yellow leaves and one-sided racemes 7cm long, of narrow, urn-shaped white flowers 6-9mm long, produced in late winter and early spring.
About the genus
Erica can be prostrate or erect, evergreen shrubs with fine, needle-like leaves in whorls, and racemes or panicles of small, bell-shaped or tubular flowers
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitMatforming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationA lime-tolerant heather, prefers well-drained neutral to acid soil in an open site with full sun but tolerant of alkaline soils and some shade. See Hardy heathers for further advice
PruningPruning group 10 after flowering
PropagationPropagate by semi-ripe cuttings in mid or late summer
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to fungal diseases, including honey fungus (rarely), and Phytophthora root rot, in wet conditions