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Shrubs

Erica manipuliflora

Autumn heather

An upright, spreading shrub with needle-like, evergreen, mid-green leaves to around 4m (13ft) in height. From late summer to autumn it bears mauve, pink or white, cylindrical or bell-shaped flowers in profusion along the stems.

Synonyms

Erica manipuliflora subsp. anthura
Erica anthura
see moreErica manipuliflora subsp. manipuliflora

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Ultimate height

2.5–4 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

1–1.5 metres

Clay

Loam

Sand

Chalk

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Ericaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy, Columnar upright
Genus: Erica can be prostrate or erect, evergreen shrubs with fine, needle-like leaves in whorls, and racemes or panicles of small, bell-shaped or tubular flowers
Name status: Correct
Plant range: E Mediterranean

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained, moderately fertile soil in full sun. Tolerates alkaline soils. See also Hardy heathers cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in mid-to late autumn and by layering

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Low Maintenance
Flower borders and beds
Hedging and screens

Pruning

See pruning group 8

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to fungal diseases, including honey fungus (rarely), and Phytophthora root rot, in wet conditions

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