This rare and endangered shrub has slender reddish brown stems that form a compact rounded habit. It has small dark green, thick lanced-shaped leaves and the white bell-shaped flowers appear solitary along the upper stems during spring.

Hardiness zones 8 to 9

Epacris virgatais naturally found in Australia growing in the Beaconsfield region in northern Tasmania in dry sclerophyll forests up to 100m (300ft) above sea level.

It prefers well drained, fertile moist stony loams in an open sunny position and is drought and frost tolerant.

Pretty Heath is grown for its flowers and is planted in small gardens or botanical collections as a specimen. It is also used in rockeries or containers and is suitable for coastal or mountain regions. It establishes in 2 to 3 years but is not commonly cultivated and may be difficult to obtained, requiring a specialist nursery.ID 2165

Note:
The species is threatened by Phytophthora cinnamomiand only limited populations exist where it is damaged by grazing and frequent fires.

Epacris(ee-PAK-ris) virgata(ver-GAR-ta)

Epacridaceae(ee-PAK-rid-AY-see-ee)