Erica mammosa, the nine-pin heath, is a species of flowering plant in the family Ericaceae, that is naturally restricted to the southwestern corner of the Western Cape, South Africa.
It is a shrub, growing to 2.5abbr=offNaNabbr=off tall and broad, that produces masses of flowers in a range of colours from light-pink to orange to bright red.
The species name mammosa means "with breasts" and refers to the udder-like tubular shape of the flowers.[1]
This plant is found as an ornamental garden subject.[2] In the UK it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[3] [4] Like many heathers it is a calcifuge, meaning that it must be grown in an acidic soil. It requires a sunny, sheltered spot with sharp drainage. It tolerates low temperatures down to 0C, but will not stand freezing.