Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants

Erica vagans 'Ida M. Britten'

Cornish heath 'Ida M. Britten'

Vigorous, low-growing, evergreen shrub, about 30-45cm in height, bearing linear mid-green leaves. Produces long sprays of bell-shaped, deep lilac flowers over a long period from mid summer to mid autumn

Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Purple Green
Autumn Purple Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Ericaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Spreading branched
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

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Best grown in neutal to acid well-drained soil in an open site with full sun but tolerant of alkaline soils. Ideal for growing in containers in lime free (ericaceous) potting compost. See Hardy heathers and erica cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in mid or late summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Banks and slopes
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Ground cover
Pruning

Pruning group 10 after flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

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

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.