Eight years on......

.......and I haven't a clue what it is. That's how long this plant has been in my garden, can anyone pin it down for me please.

 

Hi Sheal. Looks like one of the Ericas ... Heath/Heathers.

http://www.west-crete.com/flowers/erica_manipuliflora.htm

 

A Ling or Erica, imho.

 

Thanks Victoria and Lea. That's what I suspected but it's very sticky to the touch which threw me off the heather idea.

 

Hi Sheal - It looks like the link that Victoria has listed but also a bit like 'Wild Bell Heather'.

 

Thanks Grannie Annie. The flowers look the same as the one on Victoria's link but my foliage is different and dark green in colour. But as you all say it is probably a heather.

 

This is a long shot, and I can't find any mention of sticky leaves, but it might be Andromeda polifolia? http://www.google.fr/imgres?q=andro...45&start=64&ndsp=24&ved=1t:429,r:84,s:0,i:337

 

Sheal have a look at - Erica carnea Vivellii.

 

Thank you but it's neither of these Noisette and Grannie Annie. Although the bells are similar the foliage is soft leaved and not spikey.

GA, it would seem Erica Carnea Vivellii is early blooming, mine starts late May early June.

 

A closer look at the foliage. Sorry, it's not the best of shots. The leaves are more like a Ceonothus.

 

Hi Sheal, try Daboecia cantabrica

 

I maintain it is an Erica / Heather of some sorts.

Sticky leaves could be because there is some unwanted critter on it ... or has been ...

 

You are right there Victoria, Daboecia is a heather closely related to Erica. Think the leaves are naturally slightly tacky they dont really suffer much from p & d that I have noticed.

 

Scillonian........ I've been looking at images on the internet since your suggestion but there doesn't seem to be any close ups of the foliage. However, I'm 99% certain Daboecia Cantabrica 'Atropurpurea' is what I have, thank you. It would seem it's not a very well known plant and I was going to dig it up and despatch it, not now!

Victoria......The sticky feeling is there all year round and is part and parcel of the plant I believe.

 

I must admit I did put up a link from Crete ... ...possibly a different species, but I do associate with Med plants as you can possibly imagine ...