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Conservatory GreenhouseShrubs

Erica mammosa red-flowered

red-flowered ninepin heath

An evergreen shrub, to 1.5m tall, with upright stems clothed in very short, tough, narrow, dark green leaves with dense, terminal spikes of hanging, coral-red, tubular flowers in spring or summer

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Ultimate height

1–1.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

10–20 years

Ultimate spread

1.5–2.5 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Ericaceae
Native to the UK: 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: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

In very mild areas, grow in moist but well-drained, acidic soil in full sun in a very sheltered position. Elsewhere grow in a frost-free greenhouse or conservatory in lime-free potting compost with extra sharp sand, making sure the compost is kept moist

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in mid- or late summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
Mediterranean climate plants

Pruning

Pruning group 8

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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