Heathers

‘African Showgirl’

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Cerise (H6) to magenta (H13) shading to white flowers, 7mm long, in whorls of 4; grass-green foliage. This Cape heath has been marketed in New Zealand and most recently in Japan under the name ‘Erica × willmorei‘ (or one of the many variants of that name including Erica “wilmoreana”, “Wilmore’s heath”). Wilmore’s heath was a hybrid created in the 1830s with green flowers quite unlike this plant, and so the name must not be applied to an extant Cape heath.

® E.2009:06 registered by The Registrar for The Heather Society

Erica ventricosa

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An erect shrub reaching 90cm; pink flowers are hard, dry and wax-like; about 15mm long. A very popular pot plant particularly in north America and Europe – it is presently being marketed as “Italian heather” which is a nonsensical marketing name of no significance.

Erica subdivaricata

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Masses of scented white flowers, 2–4mm long, X–XII; mid-green foliage; rounded bush; height 46–60cm; spread 46–60cm. It requires a frost-free environment.

Erica racemosa

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Distinctive species with the grey-green foliage and light pink urn-shaped flowers, 3–4mm long, with dark brown anthers; blooms throughout the summer; rounded upright habit; height 46–60cm; spread 46–60cm. Prefers moist well-drained soil. Not frost hardy.

Erica quadrangularis

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Flowers are about 3mm long, in a wide range of colours from white to crimson; erect shrub reaching 60cm. Sometimes known as the Easter or Spring heather, this species very floriferous and rightly popular particularly in north America. Like all Cape heaths, it is best kept in a light, moist environment which is frost-free. Only very light pruning is required immediately after flowering.

Erica pageana

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A compact heath having rich buttercup-yellow flowers, 8mm long, IV–VI; height to 45cm. Although it grows naturally in marshy conditions, it does not like cold, damp conditions. The plant must be kept above –5°C.

Erica discolor

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Flowers tubular, about 2cm-2.5cm long, usually rosy pink or red with yellow or white tips; anthers with long awns. It tends to flower at any time of the year, most prolific X–XII; height 100-200cm; spread 100–200cm. Usually grows in drier places.

Erica curviflora

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Masses of yellow to orange to dark red curved tubular flowers 2-3cm long, flared at the mouth; anthers without awns or with very short awns, VIII–XII; neat compact shrub; height 75–100cm; spread 46–60cm Loves moist conditions, as indicated by its names waterbos and waterheide. Requires plenty of air during winter.

Erica cruenta

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Curved blood-red flowers 3cm long in sprays of 30cm or more; blooms over a long period from VIII–I, and appears to be hardier than most; height 75–100cm; spread 46–60cm. It benefits from frequent pruning in the first two years.

Erica canaliculata

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Pale pink cup-shaped flowers in profusion, IVI; the flowers are usually grouped in threes and the colour is dependent on growing conditions, being much deeper if grown outside; height at least 1m; spread 46–60cm. This species can withstand –7°C air frosts but is destroyed by –11°C air frosts