It is a bushy evergreen shrub growing to 2 metres (6+1⁄2 feet) tall and broad, with tiny needle-like leaves and pink to purple bell-shaped flowers in late spring.

As a calcifuge, it requires sharply drained acidic soil in full sun.

The Latin specific epithet australis means 'southern', referring to its native habitat of southern Europe,[3] including the western Iberian Peninsula (Portugal and Western Spain) as well as Northwest Africa (in Morocco).

This plant is cultivated as an ornamental and has produced numerous forms and cultivars,[2] gaining the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit for E. australis 'Mr Robert'.

[4][5] Media related to Erica australis at Wikimedia Commons