Description
Erica arborea, commonly known as tree heath, is a lovely evergreen shrub that can bring a touch of the Mediterranean to any UK garden. With its attractive foliage and showy flowers that bloom from late winter to early summer, it makes a wonderful addition to mixed plantings, borders, or even in containers. To create a harmonious planting scheme, consider pairing Erica arborea with some complementary companion plants. For example, the silvery-grey foliage of Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’ can provide a beautiful contrast to the heath’s bright green foliage. The delicate pink flowers of Dianthus (carnations) also pair well with Erica arborea, and their low-growing habit makes them ideal for planting in front of the heath. For a more dramatic effect, you could consider pairing Erica arborea with other Mediterranean plants, such as Lavandula (lavender) or Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary). These plants not only complement Erica arborea’s colours and textures but also share similar growing requirements, making them easy to care for together. Overall, Erica arborea is a beautiful and versatile plant that can be used in a wide range of planting schemes. By pairing it with well-chosen companion plants, you can create a beautiful and harmonious garden that will be a joy to behold throughout the growing season.
Key Facts
- Common Name(s):Tree Heath ‘African Gold’
- Hardiness:Fully hardy through most of the UK
- How big will I get? Erica arborea ‘African Gold’ can grow to a height of 1m and a spread of 0.6m.
- Did You Know That:The wood of Erica arborea is very hard and dense, and has been used for making tool handles and other small items.
Plant Calendar
A rough guide to how this plant will change through the year.
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Care Guide
Soil Requirements
Erica arborea ‘African Gold’ is a versatile plant and can cope with wet or drier soils, but prefers there to be decent drainage. This plant is not tolerant of alkaline soil, it requires either a neutral or acidic soil to grow.
Best Position
Erica arborea ‘African Gold’ can handle either an exposed or a sheltered position and requires full sun to thrive, this consists of more than six hours of direct sunshine per day.
Maintenance
Erica arborea ‘African Gold’ is fairly low maintenance and doesn’t require any pruning.
Pest, Diseases and Wildlife
Erica arborea ‘African Gold’ is generally pest free, it can be vulnerable to certain diseases such as honey fungus and root rot in wet conditions. It is not considered to be toxic.
