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Erica ciliaris or Dorset Heath has large pitcher-shaped blooms traditionally in shades of pink and white. Plants trail in habit and vary in height from 6" to 24". Blooms begin in June, with faded blossoms still attractive in December. Foliage is usually pale green and leaves are slightly sticky. Annual pruning and thinning keeps plants more tidy. The species occurs naturally in moist acid soil and sunny locations, but can withstand drought conditions quite well. Usually suffers some weather damage at about 10 degrees F., but heavy pruning in spring often revives the plant. Ciliaris are among our absolute favorites with their large colorful flowers in the fall when most others are finished blooming.
Zones 7 (0 degrees) and warmer. |
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* = picture + = Award of Garden Merit, UK |
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Cultivar |
Flower Color |
Time of |
Height and Width |
Foliage |
Winter Foliage |
Comments |
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Aurea * |
bright lilac pink |
Aug-Nov |
upright 10” x 24” |
yellow |
coral winter and spring |
can burn in a windy site |
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Corfe Castle * + |
hot rose pink |
July-Oct |
spreading 8” x 18” |
medium green |
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glows with bright color |
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white with |
July-Oct |
loose 12" x 18" |
gray green |
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neat flower |
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Globosa * |
lilac pink |
Aug-Nov |
broad erect 12" x 20" |
medium green |
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large globose flowers |
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mauve with amethyst tip |
July-Oct |
spreading 8” x 18” |
medium green |
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seedling of ‘Corfe Castle’ |
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Gill * + |
crimson |
July-Oct |
bushy 8" x 18" |
dark green |
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Mawiana * |
deep mauve |
Aug-Nov |
untidy bushy 14” x 18” |
gray green |
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keep pruned, a.k.a. ‘Maweana’ |
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Ram * |
magenta |
Sept-Oct |
compact 6" x 16" |
light yellow green |
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nice habit for a ciliaris |
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Stoborough * + |
white |
July-Oct |
erect 10" x 18" |
medium green |
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white |
Aug-Sept |
spreading 6” x 18” |
dark gray green |
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Wych * |
large pale shell pink |
Aug-Nov |
upright 12” x 20” |
medium green |
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