About
A shrub about 60cm high and wide, with leaves which are bluish grey-green in spring and summer, and purplish-green in autumn and winter, and bronze-red buds which open to aromatic lilac-pink flowers with chocolate-brown anthers, in 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
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Rock garden, Coastal
FragranceFlower
Care notes
CultivationGrow in full sun, in well-drained, preferably acidic, sandy or organic soil; will grow in poor soils, and will tolerate neutral and mildly alkaline soils, and will tolerate some shade; for more advice, see heather cultivation
PruningPruning group 1 or pruning group 10 after flowering, to maintain compact habit
PropagationPropagate by semi-ripe cuttings from mid-summer to late summer, or by mound-layering in spring
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free, but rabbits may damage young plants
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to fungal diseases, including honey fungus (rarely), and Phytophthora root rot, in wet conditions