About Erica australis L.
Erica australis, commonly known as Spanish heath or Southern tree heath, is a European flowering plant species belonging to the heath family Ericaceae. It is a bushy evergreen shrub that grows up to 2 metres (6+1⁄2 feet) tall and wide. It produces tiny needle-like leaves, and pink to purple bell-shaped flowers that bloom in late spring. As a calcifuge (a plant that avoids alkaline conditions), it requires sharply drained acidic soil grown in full sun. It is hardy to temperatures as low as −10 °C (14 °F).
The Latin specific epithet australis means 'southern', which references the species' native range in southern Europe. This native range includes the western Iberian Peninsula, covering Portugal and western Spain, as well as Northwest Africa in Morocco. E. australis is cultivated as an ornamental plant, and many different forms and cultivars have been developed from it. One cultivar, E. australis 'Mr Robert', has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
