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Erica carnea 'Lesley Sparkes'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

heather 'Lesley Sparkes'

Slow-growing, slightly spreading, evergreen shrub about 15cm tall, and 25cm wide, with tiny, narrow, mid-green leaves, the young shoots salmon-pink and gold tipped. One-sided sprays of small, urn-shaped, purple-pink flowers appear from early winter to mid-spring

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

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Ericaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Matforming, Trailing
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 tolerates 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
  • Garden edging
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

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