Erica erigena 'Irish Silver'
Irish heath 'Irish Silver'
A compact, rounded, shrub, with brittle stems and needle-like, evergreen, dark-green leaves. From winter to spring, it bares an abundance of urn-shaped to cylindrical, honey-scented, pale lilac flowers with dark red stamens along the length of the branch ends. Around 31-45cm (12-17in) in height.
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drained, Moist but well–drainedpH
AcidColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Purple | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Purple | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Potentially harmful
- Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
- 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, moderately fertile soil in full sun. Tolerates slightly alkaline soils
Propagation
Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in mid-to late autumn and by layering
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Wildlife gardens
- Low Maintenance
- Banks and slopes
- Flower borders and beds
- Ground cover
Pruning
See pruning group 10
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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