About
Erica vagans 'White Rocket' is a compact cultivar of Cornish heath producing dense, upright spikes of small, white flowers from midsummer through to autumn. An ornamental and versatile heather for a sunny, well-drained, neutral to slightly acid soil.
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, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectWest-facing, East-facing, South-facing, North-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Mediterranean climate plants, Wildlife gardens
Native toSouth Africa (Cape)
Care notes
CultivationGrows best in a well drained, acidic soil in full sun. See Hardy heathers for further advice
PruningPruning group 10
PropagationPropagate by seed or 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