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.
Plant Details
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Good to know
E. vagans and E. williamsii will tolerate alkaline soil. -
Pests & Diseases
Fungal attack fom Phytophthora root rot, Pythium, and Rhizoctonia in warm, wet conditions. -
Place of origin
Europe, temperate Africa, western and central Asia. -
Resistant to honey fungusThese plants have little or few problems with honey fungus.
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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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Bee friendly
Planting Tips and Care Advice
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Soil Conditions
Acid / ericaceous lovingFertile well drained soilOpen site
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Sun Requirements
Full sun
Planting Combinations
