This shrub has spreading woody stems that form a compact prostrate to rounded habit.  It has a tiny dark green oval hairy leaves and the lilac pink urn-shape flowers appear in clusters from mid to late summer.

Hardiness zones 7 to 9 

Erica ciliaris is naturally found from south-western Europe to England and Ireland growing in coastal scrubland or moorlands. 

It prefers an open sunny position and grows in most well drained moderately fertile moist loam but dislikes chalky soils and is frost and drought tolerant.

The Dorset Heath is grown for its spreading habit, and flowers. It is planted in small or cottage gardens as a ground cover or in rockeries as a specimen and may be used as a container plant. Is suitable for coastal and inland regions establishing in 2 to 3 years and is moderately long lived. ID 2786

Erica (e-REE-ka) ciliaris (SIL-ee-AH-ris) 

Ericaceae (er-ek-AY-see-ee)
Bilberries, Blueberries,Cranberies, Heathers, Heaths, Rhododendrons, Wintergreens