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Erica erigena are heaths of dense bushy habit native to western Ireland, Spain, Portugal and the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. Taller varieties can reach about five feet. Plants are reasonably hardy, but are somewhat brittle and can suffer foliage damage under heavy snow or when temperatures dip below about 18 degrees F. Erica erigena cultivars grow in a wide range of soils and often stand moist spots better than some of the other heathers. This group has honey scented flowers. Some erigenas can grow to be over 4 feet tall. These plants are blooming as the winter carneas are finishing, and the others have yet to start.
Zones 7 (0 degrees) and warmer. |
|
Cultivar |
Flower Color |
Time of |
Height and Width |
Foliage |
Winter Foliage |
Comments |
|
Alba * |
white |
Apr-June |
erect 35" x 30" |
bright green |
|
|
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Brian Proudley * + |
white |
Apr-June |
erect 35" x 16" |
bright green |
|
vigorous flowers |
|
lilac pink |
Mar-May |
erect 20” x 20” |
glaucous green |
purplish green |
|
|
|
Coccinea * |
lilac pink |
Mar-May |
erect 20" x 26" |
purple green |
|
|
|
shell pink |
Mar-May |
24" x 26" |
lime green |
yellow |
|
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|
Golden Lady + * |
white |
Feb-April |
upright 15" x 20" |
golden yellow |
|
golden all year |
|
shell pink |
Mar-May |
large dome 18" x 32" |
dark green |
|
attractive habit |
|
|
Irish Dusk * + |
salmon to rose pink |
Nov-May |
upright compact 24” x 18” |
dark gray green |
|
one of our favorites – superb |
|
salmon to rose pink |
Dec-May |
open 24” x 18” |
medium gray green |
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|
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Ivory * |
white corolla w/pale pink sepals |
Feb-May |
compact 14” x 20” |
medium gray green |
|
very rare |
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Maxima * |
reddish purple |
Mar-Mar |
erect 5' x 3' |
dark green |
|
|
|
shell pink |
Mar-May |
neat bush 8” x 12” |
gray green |
|
burns in Zone 8 in winter but always recovers |
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Superba * |
scented shell pink |
April-Jun |
erect 5' x 2' |
dark green |
|
|
|
pink |
Feb-May |
upright 30-40” x 30-40” |
bright golden |
some orange tints |
better than ‘Golden Lady’ |
|
|
white |
Jan-April |
compact 12" x 24" |
rich green |
|
large flowers |