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Erica verticillata
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

whorl heath

An erect, evergreen shrub, to 1.5m tall, with soft, dark-green foliage. Pale mauve-pink tubular flowers, to 1.5cm long, are arranged in tightly-packed whorls near the tips of stiffly-upright, otherwise bare, stems and are borne intermittently throughout the year

Other common names
Cape flats heath
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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Purple Pink Green
Summer Purple Pink Green
Autumn Purple Pink Green
Winter Purple Pink Green
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

West–facing or East–facing or South–facing or North–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H4
Botanical details
Family
Ericaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
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

Unresolved

Plant range
S Africa (Cape)

How to grow

Cultivation

Grows best in a well drained, acidic soil in full sun. See Hardy heathers for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Low Maintenance
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Wall side borders
Pruning

Pruning group 10

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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