Erica × darleyensis 'Margaret Porter'
heather 'Margaret Porter'
'Margaret Porter' is a dwarf shrub with a neat rounded habit, forming a low mound 20-40cm high, with mid-green leaves which have cream tips in spring, and lilac-pink flowers, and dark pink anthers, from midwinter to late spring; most Erica species and cultivars are excellent plants for all types of bees
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Pink | Cream Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Pink | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Erica can be prostrate or erect, evergreen shrubs with fine, needle-like leaves in whorls, and racemes or panicles of small, bell-shaped or tubular flowers
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in full sun, in well-drained, preferably acidic, sandy or organic soil; will grow in poor soils, and will tolerate neutral and mildly alkaline soils; for more advice, see heather cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings from mid-summer to late summer, or by mound-layering in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Rock garden
- Banks and slopes
- Ground cover
Pruning
Pruning group 1 (little or no pruning of trees and shrubs) or pruning group 10 (evergreen shrubs) after flowering, to maintain compact habit
Pests
Generally pest-free, but rabbits may damage young plants
Diseases
May be susceptible to fungal diseases, including honey fungus (rarely), and Phytophthora root rot, in wet conditions
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.