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Common Name: Cornish Heath

General Information

Erica vagans is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 0.75 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Western Europe in Britain, France and N. Spain.

Habitat

Heaths in S. Cornwall, rare in Britain but locally common and abundant in Cornwall[].

Properties

Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	0.75 m
Pollinators	Bees, Flies, Lepidoptera, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A calcifuge plant, it requires a light lime-free loam[]. Grows well on sunny slopes, thriving in any soil that is not heavy or alkaline[]. Plants can succeed in a slightly alkaline soil if it is rich in humus according to some reports[, ]. Grows best in a poor soil[]. Resents dry soils. Prefers an open situation.
A very ornamental plant[], there are many named varieties[].
A food plant for the caterpillars of many species of butterflies and moths as well as providing a food source for the moths and butterflies[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

A dye is obtained from the flowers. No further details.
The twigs are used for making brushes, thatching, bedding etc and also as a fuel.
A good ground cover plant, though it might need weeding for the first year[]. It can be clipped in spring to give denser growth[, ]. Space the plants about 60cm apart each way[].

Propagation

Seed - surface sow in an acid sandy compost in a cold frame in spring. Keep moist. Prick out the plants as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant them in their permanent positions when they are 5 - 8cm tall[].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 3cm long taken from twiggy lateral growths near the base of the plant, mid summer in a frame. Remove the leaves from the bottom part of the stem without causing any damage to the bark. The cuttings root in a few weeks if they are given some bottom heat. Plant out in spring[].
Layering in spring or autumn. Plants can be 'dropped' and then dug up and divided about 6 - 12 months later. Dropping involves digging up the plant and then replanting it about 15 - 20cm deeper in the soil to encourage roots to form along the stems[].