Erica, the heaths or heathers, is a genus of approximately 860 species of flowering plants in the family Ericaceae. The English common names "heath" and "heather" are shared by some closely related genera of similar appearance. Most of the species are small shrubs from 20-150cm high, though some are taller. All are evergreen, with minute needle-like leaves 2-15 mm long. Flowers are usually outward or downward facing and are borne in mass. The plants are grown as landscape or garden plants for their floral effect. At least 660 of the species are endemic to South Africa, and these are often called the Cape heaths, forming the largest genus in the fynbos. The remaining species are native to other parts of Africa, Madagascar, the Mediterranean region, and Europe.
Erica formosa is a charming plant that produces lovely displays of white flowers from midwinter to early summer. It is well-tempered and keeps a neat tidy habit for many years without requiring much maintenance and therefore should be one of the first choices when planning a fynbos garden. Erica formosa is a compact, much-branched, bushy shrublet, up to 600 mm tall. It has small, dark, shiny, green leaves arranged close to thin stems. It produces a profusion of small, glossy, white flowers shaped like rounded or urn-shaped bells that are contracted at the throat. A distinctive feature of this species is the eight grooves or channels in the flowers. It often grows in colonies producing splashes of white on hillsides from July to November. Erica formosa is quite hardy in Mediterranean conditions or areas where there is no frost. It has a neat growth habit and is a good edging plant, which can be used in mass displays. A combination of this white-flowered species in mass displays with the pink buchu species, Coleonema pulchellum planted behind, and the smaller Acmadenia heterophylla in front, will be most rewarding. It is a very good pot plant and requires only the minimum of clipping to retain a good shape.
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