Data sources

Wild pink

Erica margaritaceae

Growth features

Easy to grow

Social features

Fragrant

Soils

Soil: sandy

Erica margaritacea forms a low, compact shrub up to 500 mm tall. The leaves are lime-green and arranged 4-nately (in whorls of 4) around the smooth slender stems.

The flowers have an exerted style and are urn- or cup-shaped. They are borne in clusters near the ends of the branches and the colour ranges from pure white to pearly white with a pink blush. Flowering occurs in the summer (October to March).

Propagation by seed

Sow seeds in autumn in a sandy, well-drained soil mixture. Use a smoke pre-treatment to optimize germination. Seedlings appear after 2 to 3 weeks and should be nurtured until they are about 10 mm tall, then transplant them into individual containers. Pinch out the terminal shoots to promote the bushy growth of the plant.

Propagation by cutting

Take cuttings from actively growing shoots (preferably as heel cuttings), in autumn or spring to early summer. Place them in rooting trays in a finely milled bark mix in special propagation units with bottom heat benches and overhead misters. Rooting takes place in ± 3 weeks and the same care must be taken when transplanting the cuttings into individual containers.

Sources and references

Data sources

Fynbos Corridor Collaboration