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Epacris spp.

Ericaceae

Southeastern Australia and New Zealand

Attracts Pollinators Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 8–10

Overview

Epacris spp. is a genus of about 40 evergreen shrubs in the family Ericaceae, the southern-hemisphere heaths, native to southeastern Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand. Most are slender, erect, wiry shrubs 1 to 10 ft (0.3 to 3 m) tall, with small, stiff, often sharply pointed leaves crowded along the stems in the manner of northern heaths. The tubular to bell-shaped flowers line the upper stems in dense spikes, in white, pink, or red, and appear over a long season from autumn through spring. E. impressa, the common heath, is the floral emblem of the Australian state of Victoria and carries rows of narrow pink, white, or crimson tubes. The plants grow in acid, sandy, free-draining soils of heaths, moors, and open forest, often where nutrients are low. They are pollinated by birds and insects. Like many heath-family plants, they are sensitive to root disturbance, intolerant of rich or limy soils, and can be short-lived in cultivation.

Native Range

Native to southeastern Australia, including New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania, with a few species in New Zealand, growing in heath, moorland, and open sclerophyll forest on acid, sandy soils.

Suggested Uses

Grown in native and heath gardens, rockeries, and containers on acid soil in mild climates, and used for cut flowers from the long-lasting spikes. E. impressa is planted as a habitat and nectar source for native birds. The narrow, upright form suits low borders and informal groupings.

How to Identify

An erect, wiry evergreen shrub with small, stiff, narrow leaves that often end in a sharp point and sit closely along the stems. The tubular or bell-shaped flowers are packed in dense spikes toward the branch tips, white, pink, or red. The long flowering season, from autumn into spring, helps separate it from northern-hemisphere heaths.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 10'

Width/Spread1' - 3'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

Fall Winter Spring

Flowering extends over a long season, mainly from autumn through winter and into spring, the peak varying by species and region. The narrow tubular flowers crowd the upper stems for weeks. In E. impressa the display can run from May to November in its native range.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White, pink, or red

Foliage Description

Green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 5-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range4.5 - 6.0(Acidic)

357912

Soil Types

sand peat

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-4 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Epacris species need acid, sandy, sharply drained soil low in nutrients, at a low pH from about 4.5 to 6.0, and grow in full sun to light shade. Steady but moderate moisture suits them; they tolerate neither waterlogging nor prolonged drought. Phosphorus-rich fertilisers harm these heath-family plants, so feeding is kept minimal. Their slender, shallow roots respond poorly to disturbance, and a light mulch keeps them cool. Frost tolerance is moderate, suiting mild-temperate zones 8 to 10. Plants can be short-lived and are often replaced from cuttings or seed.

Pruning

A light trim after flowering keeps plants bushy and prevents legginess. Cutting into old, bare wood is avoided, as it often fails to reshoot. Spent flower spikes can be removed to tidy the shrub.

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 3 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Unknown