Erica tetralix or Cross-leaved Heath varieties are beautiful foliage accent plants with an almost formal appearance.  They are native to western Europe from the Arctic Circle to northern Spain.  They have soft grayish-green foliage with white undersides.  Plants seldom grow taller than 12" and blossoms have a waxy texture.  Blooming season is from June - October.  Plants hang onto faded blossoms which need removing.  Light shearing when young in early spring makes for a bushier plant.  Plants are extremely hardy and grow best in slightly acid soil.  Lime usually stunts its growth considerably.  It is often found in boggy areas but can tolerate drier conditions.  Zones 4 (-30 degrees) through 8 and warmer.

Cultivar

Flower Color

Time of
Bloom

Height and Width
in approx. 4 yrs

Foliage

Winter

Foliage

Comments

Alba

white

June-Nov

upright 10" x 14"

gray green

 

flowers well

Alba Mollis * +

white

June-Sept

compact upright
6-9" x 12"

gray green

new tips silver

striking plant with
its silver foliage

Con Underwood * +

magenta

July-Nov

10” x 20”

gray green

 

 

Curled Roundstone *

pale pink

June-Oct

prostrate curled stems 4” x 16”

gray green

 

hangs over edges

Daphne Underwood  *

deep shell pink

Jun-Sept

compact 8” x 14”

gray green

 

 

Dδnemark *

bright rose

July-Oct

low bushy 6” x 14”

gray green

 

 

Darleyensis *

pale rose pink

July-Oct

curled crossed stems 8” x 14”

gray green

 

 

Delta *

sparse rose pink

July

dwarf 4” x 8”

gray green

 

slow growing and dense if pruned

Foxhome

cherry red

June-Oct

12” x 20”

gray green

 

striking color

George Fraser *

pale pink

July-Sept

upright 10" x 12"

olive green

 

hardy

Gratis

pink

Jun-Sept

bushy 8” x 12”

gray green

 

 

Helma *

lilac pink

Aug-Sept

bushy 10” x 14”

gray green

 

flowers very well

Hookstone Pink *

rose pink

June-Oct

bushy 8" x 14"

silver gray

 

beautiful matches  foliage/ flowers

Ken Underwood *

cerise

June-Oct

bushy 10" x 14"

dark gray
green

 

attractive color

L.E. Underwood *

apricot pink

June-Oct

bushy 9" x 14"

gray green

 

salmon buds-nice

Melbury White *

white

June-Oct

compact 10” x 12”

silver gray

 

neat habit

Mollis *

pink

Jun-Sept

upright 12” x 12”

silver gray

 

nice foliage color

Pink Glow

magenta

Jun-Sept

spreading 8" x 18"

gray green

 

a favorite of ours

Pink Pepper *

pink

Jun-Sept

compact 8” x 14”

gray green with white speckling

 

very unusual, slow growing

Pink Star * +

lilac pink

July-Oct

spreading 8" x 14"

gray green

 

star-like flowers

Riko *

ruby

Jun-Sept

compact 8” x 14”

gray green

 

deepest color

Rosea *

lilac pink

July-Sept

10: x 16"

light green

 

old cultivar

Rubra *

carmine

July-Sept

compact 8” x 12”

gray green

 

very handsome

Ruby’s Variety *

off-white ruby tips

June-Oct

neat spreading

10” x 18”

gray green

 

flowers age to salmon

Ruth’s Gold *

pink

June-Oct

8” x 12”

yellow gray

lime-green yellow tips

very unique foliage color

Stardome *

pale rose pink w/darker tip

July-Sept

compact erect

10” x 14”

gray green

 

 

Swedish Yellow *

pale rose pink

July-Sept

bushy 6” x 12”

yellow green

rich yellow red tints

from Sweden tough plant

Tina *

pale

purple

Aug-Nov

broad 8” x 18”

gray green

 

good silver