Erica ciliaris 'Alba'

Dorset heath 'Alba'
A compact, evergreen shrub with tiny, narrow, dark green leaves reaching a height of 16-20cm and spread of up to 30cm. Short sprays of small, white, urn-shaped flowers are produced from early summer to early autumn
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drained, Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Green Grey Silver | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | White | Green Grey Silver | ||
Autumn | Green Grey Silver | |||
Winter | Green Grey Silver |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical 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
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in well-drained acidic soil in full sun. See Hardy heathers for further advice
Propagation
Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings in mid- or late summer or by layering
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Rock garden
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Coastal
- Wildlife gardens
- Patio and container plants
- Low Maintenance
- 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
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