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HEATHERS Erica
Commonly known as Heath
A shrub to bring a moorland character to your garden.
Genus of more than 800 species of evergreen trees, shrubs and subshrubs from a variety of habitats from wet moorland to dry heathland in Europe, western Asia, the Arabian Peninsula, northern Africa, Macaronesia, montane habitats in tropical Africa and especially temperate southern Africa (Cape heaths). They often dominate heathland and moorland and this is mirrored in miniature with their ground-covering characteristics in garden planting.
E.carnea, Alpine or Winter heath flowers from winter to mid spring, cinerea, bell heather from early summer to early autumn, vagans, Cornish heath, from midsummer to mid-autumn and x darleyensis, a particularly useful groundcover, from late autumn through winter to early spring. All are an excellent source of nectar for bees.
Native ericas are E. ciliaris, Dorset heath found also in Devon, Cornwall and the west of Ireland, E. cinerea, Bell heather, common on the drier areas of moorland and tetralix, Cross-leaved heath. common except for the Midlands. E. vagans, in the wild, is found on the Lizard peninsula in Cornwall.
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EvergreenProstrate to tree like shrubs. Whorled, mainly linear leaves. Bell- to urn-shaped flowers.
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Ground coverThese plants are typically low growing and spread quickly to inhibit weed growth on areas of bare soil
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Full sun
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Additional Features
Good to knowE. vagans and E. williamsii will tolerate alkaline soil.
Pests & DiseasesFungal attack fom Phytophthora root rot, Pythium, and Rhizoctonia in warm, wet conditions.
Place of originEurope, temperate Africa, western and central Asia.Resistant to honey fungusThese plants have little or few problems with honey fungus. -
Soil ConditionsAcid / ericaceous lovingFertile well drained soilOpen site
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Wildlife
Bee friendly
Buy Varieties of HEATHERS Erica
HEATHERS Erica arborea 'Albert's Gold'
Tree heath with scented white flowers in early spring and the brightest golden foliage
HEATHERS Erica arborea 'Estrella Gold'
hardy slow growing variety with yellow young foliage
HEATHERS Erica canaliculata
Cape heath with pale pink flowers
Gift-wrapping available
HEATHERS Erica carnea 'Ann Sparkes'
rose-pink. Yellow-bronze foliage
HEATHERS Erica carnea 'December Red'
deep pink
HEATHERS Erica carnea 'Eva'
magenta flowers
HEATHERS Erica carnea 'Foxhollow'
pale lavender, yellow foliage
Gift-wrapping available
HEATHERS Erica carnea 'Myretoun Ruby'
ruby red
HEATHERS Erica carnea 'Pink Spangles'
large pale pink
HEATHERS Erica carnea 'Winter Snow'
white
HEATHERS Erica cerinthoides
Tree heather. Tubular flowers, usually red-orange.
HEATHERS Erica x darleyensis 'Darley Dale'
pink flowers, cream tips in spring
HEATHERS Erica x darleyensis 'Eva Gold'
golden leaves and magenta pink flowers
Gift-wrapping available
HEATHERS Erica x darleyensis 'Ghost Hills'
purple-pink flowers, bright green foliage and cream tips in spring
Gift-wrapping available
HEATHERS Erica x darleyensis 'Kramer's Red'
magenta flowers, bronze-green foliage
Useful extras...
