Scientific Name:
Erica
x
darleyensis
Pronunciation:
ER-ee-kuh ex dar-lee-YEN-sis
Common Name:
erica, heath
Family Name:
Ericaceae
Plant Type:
Ground cover
Key ID Features:
Very similar to E. carnea but more vigorous, up to 1m tall; leaves very similar to E. carnea, linear, in whorls of 4, about 8mm long x 1mm wide; flowers pink to mauve, or white, many cultivars available that mostly bloom Nov-May.
Habit:
Horizontal
Form:
Creeping / Mat-like, Mounded
Texture:
Fine
Mature Height:
0.4 - 0.7m
Mature Spread:
0.3 - 0.6m
Growth Rate:
Slow
Origin:
Garden origin (E. carnea x E. erigena)
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 6: (-23 to -18 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Well-drained
Landscape Uses:
Accent plant, Filler, Group or mass planting, Rock garden, Spring interest, Winter interest
Additional Info:
Google. Cultivars shown or on campus may include E. 'Darley Dale', E. 'Kramer's Rote', E. 'Mary Helen', and E. 'Spring Surprise'.
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple, Needle-like
Arrangement:
Whorled
Texture/Venation:
Leathery
Surfaces:
Glabrous
Colour in Fall:
Green
Shapes:
Linear
Apices:
Acute
Bases:
Rounded
Margins:
Entire
Inflorescence Type:
Raceme
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
5
Corolla Shape:
Urceolate
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, White, Purple, Pink
Flower Time at Peak:
Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Nov, Dec
Fruit Type:
Capsule, Aborted (hybrids) or absent
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
May, Jun
Bark or Stem Colour:
Pest Susceptibility:
(Deer resistant)
