Erica x veitchii is a hybrid between tree heath (Erica arborea) and Portuguese heath (Erica lusitanica), represented in cultivation by at least five cultivars which vary in hardiness from zone 7 to zone 8. Veitch’s heath can be grown in most alkaline soils. All the cultivars are of garden origin.
Erica x veitchii ‘Pink Joy’ has pink buds opening to white flowers, III–VI; mid-green foliage; height about 1m; spread 61–75cm. Of Dutch origin.
Found by M. Zwijnenburg (Boskoop, Netherlands); introduced by P. G. Zwijnenburg before 1968 (as Erica arborea ‘Pink Joy’).
Image courtesy of Forest Edge Nursery.