Phenology and carbohydrate content of heathers of southern origin grown in Scotland

Summary Plants of Erica vagans, E. mackaiana and E. ciliaris from Spain or southern England were characterised by late flowering, tardy shoot extension, erect growth form and a susceptibility to winter damage when grown outdoors in Scotland. Although these characteristics are shared by plants of Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea and E. tetralix of similar provenance these latter species are known to be capable of producing forms suited to more severe climates. Differences in carbohydrate contents were not strongly related to origin although Erica ciliaris, E. vagans and E. erigena tended to accumulate relatively greater amounts of polysaccharides than the other species. Erica erigena combined early flowering with late and slow shoot extension and remained undamaged during winter.