Erica versicolor

Erica versicolor is a species of flowering plant in the family Ericaceae, native to South Africa's Cape Province.

In cultivation E. versicolor requires well-drained acidic soil and a sheltered situation in full sun. It cannot tolerate freezing temperatures. In the UK it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Description
Erica versicolor is an evergreen shrub growing to 3 m tall by 1 m broad, bearing tiny needle-like leaves and long tubular flowers up to 3 cm in length. The flowers have a two-tone appearance, predominantly red with green or yellow tips (hence the Latin specific epithet versicolor), and bloom from October until April. The leaves are trifoliate, smooth, and a deep green. The branches of the plant are nearly simple.