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Erica williamsii P.D. Williams - Heath

Erica x williamsii P.D. Williams
Williams' Heath, Williams' Heather

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More information

Attractive variety all year round. The green foliage with yellow tips in spring turns to a soft green in summer and then bronze in winter. From July to October, the flowers bloom continuously in the form of lilac pink bell-shaped flowers that can vary to orchid purple. With a spreading habit, this summer heather forms a dense and compact cushion that can reach a height of 25 cm and a spread of 40 to 50 cm. Hardy and robust, it tolerates various soil conditions, including slightly chalky soil.
Flower size
7 cm
Height at maturity
30 cm
Spread at maturity
50 cm
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -29°C
Soil moisture
Dry soil, Moist soil
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Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time February to April, October to December
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Flowering time June to September
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Description

Erica x williamsii P.D. Williams Summer Heather could be called the Cornouille Pearl, due to its origins and its lilac pink bell-shaped flowers. It originates from this region, where it thrives on top of steep cliffs, exposed to winds and sea spray, growing in poor rocky soil, but sufficiently watered by regular rainfall. From this environment, it retains the ability to adapt to difficult conditions. It has a generous length and intensity of flowering, while displaying attractive ever-changing foliage through the seasons. It forms a cushion with a very natural appearance, blending in with its surroundings: rocks, old trunks, tree bases... It is a hardy plant that doesn't mind the cold, but it requires an acidic, fairly moist, and well-drained soil to thrive.

Erica x williamsii 'P.D. Williams' belongs to the ericaceae family. It is a summer heather, resulting from cross-breeding between Erica tetralix and Erica vagans. The 'P.D. Williams' variety is a natural hybrid discovered in the northwest of Trelan on the Lizard Peninsula, in the Cornwall region of England, by PD Williams of Lanarth, before 1910. On this southernmost tip of Great Britain, there are cliffs of greenish-coloured rock, called serpentine rock, where rare plants grow. This cultivar forms a low and dense bush, with a height of 25 cm and a spread of 45 cm. Small needles grow on thin and twisted branches, whorled in groups of 3 to 4, deep green with yellow tips in spring, turning to light green in summer, and eventually taking on bronze hues for winter. Its small bell-shaped flowers ranging from lilac pink to orchid purple, measuring 4 to 5 mm in length, are also whorled, grouped in small elongated clusters at the top of leafy stems. They appear in the heart of summer, last until October and are loved by bees.

The P.D. Williams Summer Heather has all the qualities one would expect from a heather. A long and remarkable flowering period combined with ever-changing persistent foliage throughout the seasons. Its low, dense, and compact growth allows it to be used in ground cover beds, as borders for heather beds, on slopes or rockeries, to dress the bases of trees and large shrubs, but be careful to avoid excessively hot exposures. It can easily find its place alongside other heathers whose flowering will take over, while having similar development and growth, such as Erica x carnea, Erica x darleyensis, or Erica vagans. Its long summer flowering brightens up shaded areas with its vibrant colours. It brings charm and cheerfulness to low-growing grass beds such as carex, ophiopogon, molinia, uncinia, hakonechloa, pennisetum... It can also be mixed in a low and shaded bed with andromedas, bearberries, pachysandra, or Lithodora fruticosa. In acidic soil, heathers form beautiful carpets at the base of larger shrubs, dressing their base: mountain laurel, rhododendrons, camellias, deciduous azaleas, andromedas... Cultivated in pots or containers, it enriches balconies, terraces, or patios with its intense flowering.

Easy to grow P.D. Williams Summer Heather prefers acidic to neutral soil, but it seems to adapt to slightly alkaline soil. In any case, well-drained soil without stagnant moisture is necessary. It does not tolerate long periods of drought well and appreciates moist soil. Mulching is a solution to maintain relative soil moisture. Almost maintenance-free, this heather only requires light pruning after flowering, in October. This operation will remove faded flowers and promote the growth of fresh foliage.

Plant habit

Height at maturity 30 cm
Spread at maturity 50 cm
Habit creeping
Growth rate slow

Flowering

Flower colour pink
Flowering time June to September
Inflorescence Spike
Flower size 7 cm
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour green

Botanical data

Genus

Erica

Species

x williamsii

Cultivar

P.D. Williams

Family

Ericaceae

Other common names

Williams' Heath, Williams' Heather

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference20536

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Planting and care

Erica x williamsii P.D. Williams prefers a fairly fertile soil, although it can tolerate poor terrain. However, it should be peaty, light, sandy, very acidic (pH between 4 and 6), moist, and well-drained. To allow heathers to be planted in the ground or in pots, recreate a soil mixture with 1/3 ericaceous soil, 1/3 non-calcareous organic soil, and 1/3 sand. It is preferable to plant in autumn to benefit from winter rooting or in spring, without burying the collar too much. This plant appreciates non-scorching full sun or partial shade. In northern regions, it can be planted in full sun, while in hot climates, a partially shaded exposure is preferable. A well-established plant can tolerate some drought for a short period. In heavy and poorly drained soil, it will disappear as this plant is sensitive to root rot.

During the first two years, carefully weed around the base. Adapted to dry environments, the summer roots are highly branched in the soil and prevent the establishment of other species nearby once they are well established. In case of prolonged drought, mulch the base to retain some moisture. Prune the clumps to half height, just after flowering, from a young age, which will allow the clumps to remain dense while producing fresh foliage. A covering of shredded bark or peat is a good idea in colder regions.

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Planting period

Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time February to April, October to December

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Rockery, Woodland edge
Type of use Border, Edge of border, Container, Slope
Hardiness Hardy down to -29°C (USDA zone 5) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 3 per m2
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Acidic, Neutral
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light), Stony (poor and well-drained)
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil, wewll-draining, acidic

Care

Pruning instructions To maintain a dense and compact habit, summer heather should be lightly pruned just after flowering, usually around October. This pruning will remove faded flowers, promote new dense and fresh foliage, and initiate a beautiful flowering for the following summer.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time October
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

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