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HEATHERS Erica
Commonly known as Alpine heath, Winter 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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EvergreenBright green foliage.
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White
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Height15cm (6in)
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Spread45cm (18in)
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Ground coverThese plants are typically low growing and spread quickly to inhibit weed growth on areas of bare soilErect but spreading habit.
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Very hardyHardy in the severest continental climates including exposed upland locations in the UK. Plant can withstand temperatures < -20 (-4°F)
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Full sun
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Additional FeaturesPests & DiseasesFungal attack from Phytophthora root rot, Pythium, and Rhizoctonia in warm, wet conditions.Place of originGarden origin (Germany).Resistant to honey fungusThese plants have little or few problems with honey fungus.
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HardinessFully hardy
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Pruning groupPruning group 7Suitable for: Evergreen shrubs that flower on previous year's growth in Spring, or current year's growth in late Summer/Autumn.
Action: Cut back flowered shoots to within 1 inch of previous year's growth.
When: Annually after flowering or in Spring if flowering on current year's growth.
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Seasonal InterestWinter
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Soil ConditionsAcid / ericaceous lovingWill tolerate mildly alkaline conditionsFertile well drained soilOpen site
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WildlifeBee friendly
HEATHERS Erica carnea 'Myretoun Ruby'
HEATHERS Erica carnea 'Eva'
HEATHERS Erica carnea 'Foxhollow'
HEATHERS Erica x darleyensis 'Kramer's Red'
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
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
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
HEATHERS Erica x darleyensis 'Ghost Hills'
purple-pink flowers, bright green foliage and cream tips in spring
HEATHERS Erica x darleyensis 'Kramer's Red'
magenta flowers, bronze-green foliage