E. arborea is an upright, evergreen shrub with needle-like, dark green leaves and leafy racemes of fragrant, bell-shaped, dull white, rarely pink, flowers in spring.The evergreen shrub tree heather earns its nickname—giant heather—honestly: At maturity it can reach a height of 13 feet. Think of it as a small tree in a shrub’s body.Tree heather will burst into flower (tiny flowers) in spring, with tiny white, highly perfumed blossoms. Drought tolerant and happy in either sun or partial shade, Erica arborea also takes kindly to pruning. You can shape it into a tall column or leave it shaggy, looking like the family pet.