About
Erica vagans, the Cornish heath, is a vigorous, spreading, evergreen heather from western Europe � including its stronghold on the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall � forming a bushy mound to 80 cm. Spikes of small, pink, lilac or white flowers are produced from midsummer through to autumn, much later than most heathers. Tolerant of neutral to slightly alkaline soils, making it more versatile than many erica species.
About the genus
Erica, the heaths and heathers, are evergreen shrubs and subshrubs from Europe, the Mediterranean and Africa producing needle-like whorled leaves and masses of small, urn-shaped or tubular flowers in white, pink, purple or red. Ranging from compact ground-covering alpines to large tree heaths, they are grown in acid soils and heathland gardens.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand, Clay
Soil pHNeutral, Acid, Alkaline
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy, Spreading branched
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCoastal, City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationBest grown in neutal to acid well-drained soil in an open site with full sun but tolerant of slightly alkaline soils. Ideal for growing in containers in lime free (ericaceous) potting compost. See Hardy heathers and erica cultivation
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