Erica cerinthoides (Fire Erica, Fire Heath, Red Hairy Heath)
Botanical Information
| Family | Ericaceae |
| Genus | Erica |
| Species | cerinthoides |
| Category | Tropicals, Woody |
| Type | Shrub (evergreen) |
| Origin | Native to South Africa. |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 9-11 |
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone | Requires cold season protection under glass. |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Zone | H1c-H4 |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Temperature (°C) | -6.7-10 |
| Temperature (°F) | 20-50 |
| Height | 1-1.5 m |
| Spread | 50-100 cm |
Description and Growing Information
| Landscape | Grows well in a container with regular pruning or as a landscape specimen plant. |
| Propagation | Propagated by seed or cutting. Seed that is sown in autumn and treated by a smoke extract is shown to improve germination. |
| Cultivation | Grows best in full sun with acid, clay-like soils. Not frost tolerant. |
| Notable Specimens | Tresco Abbey Garden, Tresco, Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom. |
| Habitat | Found along coastal areas and in mountain plains. |
| Leaf Description | Leaves are fine, needle-shaped that grow in a spiral shape around the stem. The needles for 6-10 mm long. |
| Flower Description | Flowers are bright red and tubular or bell-shaped. |
Photographs
Erica cerinthoides, form. Tresco Abbey Garden, Tresco, Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom.
Erica cerinthoides, flower. Tresco Abbey Garden, Tresco, Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom.