Erica williamsii P.D. Williams - Heath

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.