Practical
Plants

Erica vagans

Cornish Heath

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Erica genus in the family Ericaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Ericaceae
Genus
Erica
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
0.75 m
Spread
0.75 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees, Flies, Lepdioptera, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Flies, Lepdioptera, Self

Uses

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A dye is obtained from the flowers. No further details. The twigs are used for making brushes, thatching, bedding etc and also as a fuel. A good ground cover plant, though it might need weeding for the first year[6]. It can be clipped in spring to give denser growth[6][8]. Space the plants about 60cm apart each way[8].

Product or use
Brush
Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Fuel
Product or use
Thatching

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
Western Europe in Britain, France and N. Spain.
Habitat
Heaths in S. Cornwall, rare in Britain but locally common and abundant in Cornwall[3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
very acid, acid, neutral
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind
Wind
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - surface sow in an acid sandy compost in a cold frame in spring. Keep moist. Prick out the plants as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant them in their permanent positions when they are 5 - 8cm tall[2]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 3cm long taken from twiggy lateral growths near the base of the plant, July/August in a frame. Remove the leaves from the bottom part of the stem without causing any damage to the bark. The cuttings root in a few weeks if they are given some bottom heat. Plant out in spring[2]. Layering in spring or autumn. Plants can be 'dropped' and then dug up and divided about 6 - 12 months later. Dropping involves digging up the plant and then replanting it about 15 - 20cm deeper in the soil to encourage roots to form along the stems[10].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A calcifuge plant, it requires a light lime-free loam[2]. Grows well on sunny slopes, thriving in any soil that is not heavy or alkaline[2]. Plants can succeed in a slightly alkaline soil if it is rich in humus according to some reports[4][5]. Grows best in a poor soil[2]. Resents dry soils. Prefers an open situation. A very ornamental plant[1], there are many named varieties[4]. A food plant for the caterpillars of many species of butterflies and moths as well as providing a food source for the moths and butterflies[9]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[7].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  3. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩

  4. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩1↩2

  5. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩

  6. Royal Horticultural Society. Ground Cover Plants. Cassells. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-304-31089-1

    ↩1↩2

  7. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩

  8. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩1↩2

  9. Carter D. Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe. Pan 1982-00-00 ISBN 0-330-26642-x

    ↩

  10. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩

Edit this page