Erica × griffithsii 'Ashlea Gold'

RHS Plant Profile
heather 'Ashlea Gold'
Plants for pollinators
Shrubs

Compact, evergreen shrub to about 45cm high and 60cm wide, with tiny, needle-like, deep golden leaves. Small, fragrant, bell-shaped pale-pink flowers are produced in long upright sprays, from mid summer to mid autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral or Alkaline

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H4

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Ericaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
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 mildy alkaline soils and a little shade. 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

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds

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