Erica melanthera, - Heath or Heather is a compact, bushy, shrub to one metre with bright green, small, needle-like leaves and purple/pink flowers that dominate the plant in autumn and winter.
When all else is dormant, the Ericas come out to dazzle us with their vibrant displays of colourful bell-shaped little flowers. They are profuse producers of blooms, going well in shruberies or in larger borders as well as in pots and planters on the patio.
Excellent for cut flowers, they are generally frost hardy but they do need protection when young and still not fully established.