About
An upright, evergreen shrub with whorls of short, narrow, dark green leaves and elongated clusters of tubular flowers in summer and autumn. Flowers may be dark red, orange-red, pink, green or white.
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, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH2
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy, Columnar upright
FoliageEvergreen
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesMixed borders, hedging, foundation planting.
Native toSouth Africa (Cape)
FragranceFlower
Care notes
CultivationGrow in particularly mild areas in well-drained acidic soil in full sun in a very sheltered position. Elsewhere grow under glass in frost-free conditions
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