Epacris impressa

Daniel Kurek 2020, Common Heath (Epacris impressa), https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/77783450

Common name

Common Heath

Position

Full sun, Part shade

Flower shape and colour

Tubular shaped, Red; also white, pink, scarlet or deep plum (Molyneux, Forrester, 2004, p. 76)

Form

Low shrub (Up to 1.2m)

Suitability for landscaping

Specimen or feature plant in amongst mixed natives in native landscapes, parks and reserves. Requires some root protection, best grown amongst other plants.
Requires well-drained soils. Responds to tip pruning for bushier growth. (Botanic Gardens of South Australia | Epacris impressa)

Propagation

From cuttings. (Wrigley, Fagg, 2012, p. 162). See seed germination (Seeds of South Australia | Epacris impressa)

Cultivation

Available in nurseries as well as related cultivars with different flower colours. Plant in drifts, prune after flowering. (Molyneux, Forrester, 2004, p. 76)

References | acknowledgements
  • Botanic Gardens of South Australia 2025, Epacris impressa | Common Heath. Provides information about the plant features and uses of the Native shrub: Epacris impressa.
  • Daniel Kurek 2020, Common Heath (Epacris impressa). This link contains the image and information surrounding the ownership and quality of the image.
  • Gardening With Angus 2023, Epacris impressa – Common Heath. Provides a description of the landscape use of Epacris impress as well as details about its tolerance for climate, soil, lifespan, etc.
  • Seeds of South Australia 2025, Epacris impressa | Common Heath. Provides information about the distribution, plant characteristics, as well as seed collection and viability. 
  • Yarra Ranges Council 2025, Epacris impressa | Common Heath. Provides information about the plant characteristics including the suitability of the Epacris impressa as a streetscape shrub.