HEATHERS Erica
Commonly known as Irish heath, Mediterranean 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
Wildlife plant - insects. Makes a good hedge in areas with little snowfall. Fills the gap between winter and summer flowering heaths. -
Pests & Diseases
Fungal attack from Phytophthora, Pythium, and Rhizoctonia in warm, wet conditions. -
Place of origin
Ireland, southwestern France, Spain, Portugal, Tangier. -
Resistant to honey fungusThese plants have little or few problems with honey fungus.
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EvergreenLinear, dark-green leaves.
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Height
To 2.5m (8ft) -
Spread
To 1m (3ft)
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Medium shrubTypically grow to around 4-6 feet in heightUpright shrub with brittle stems. Urn-shaped to cylindrical flowers 5mm (¼in) long in racemes 4cm (1½in) long
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Bee friendly
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Mature Sizeto 2.5m (8ft)
to 1m (3ft)
Planting Tips and Care Advice
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Soil Conditions
Tolerates allAny well-drained soil
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Sun Requirements
Full sun
Planting Combinations
