Troubleshooting
Cornish Heath Mrs D.F. Maxwell problems — and how to fix them
Cornish Heath Mrs D.F. Maxwell (Erica vagans 'Mrs D.F. Maxwell') is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Woody, leggy growth if unclipped
Without annual clipping after flowering, plants become bare and woody at the base within a few years; trim lightly with shears in early spring, never cutting back into old brown wood.
Powdery mildew
Can appear in dry, hot summers particularly in sheltered spots with poor air circulation; improve airflow and avoid overhead watering at night.
Vine weevil root damage
Grubs of vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus) attack roots, causing sudden wilting and collapse; treat with nematode biocontrol (Steinernema kraussei) in late summer or early autumn.
Prevent cornish heath mrs d.f. maxwell problems before they start
Most cornish heath mrs d.f. maxwell issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Cornish Heath Mrs D.F. Maxwell problems — FAQ
Why is my cornish heath mrs d.f. maxwell woody, leggy growth if unclipped?
Without annual clipping after flowering, plants become bare and woody at the base within a few years; trim lightly with shears in early spring, never cutting back into old brown wood.
Why is my cornish heath mrs d.f. maxwell powdery mildew?
Can appear in dry, hot summers particularly in sheltered spots with poor air circulation; improve airflow and avoid overhead watering at night.
Why is my cornish heath mrs d.f. maxwell vine weevil root damage?
Grubs of vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus) attack roots, causing sudden wilting and collapse; treat with nematode biocontrol (Steinernema kraussei) in late summer or early autumn.