Sounds like it did not get properly watered, is it in an acidic compost?

does it need a trim, sometimes there is a bare length of stem with a tuft of leaves at the top, I trim the bare bit off

I wouldn't trim Erica carnea at this time of year... I'm more concerned that the leaves/needles a dropping off that does not indicate a plant needing a trim but one needing rescuing. Snag is Guest can't answer us Pam... Guest use the search box at top right of page and ask your question there - see what info you get. The erics can withstand really coldweather so I don't think it is that.

think you're probably right Mg, it sounds dry if its 'dropping' I was thinking of one from a nursery that we got a couple of days ago that hadn't been trimmed after flowering ( managers special) so it looked bare & leggy-- until I gave it a bit of a haircut :o)

Yes Pam all erics need hairdoes but I suspect this is an ex. eric...

oh dear-- wyou are probably right Mg (:0(