Erica herbal

Erica herbal: description of the plant

Recently, domestic gardeners are increasingly using heather as an ornamental plant. One of the representatives of the Vereskov family is red erica herb - an evergreen shrub found in the wild in Africa, the Mediterranean region, the Caucasus and the islands of the Atlantic Ocean.
Of all the species of this plant, Erika herbala is adapted to the conditions of the Russian central zone. It is able to withstand frosts down to -15 degrees. The height of herbal erica ranges from 35 to 60 cm, bright green shiny leaves in shape resemble needles about 5 cm long, collected in small bunches. Erika herbal blooms in April-May, its small bell-shaped flowers are usually pink, less often white.
Erika herbal tends to grow rapidly, therefore, in gardens and summer cottages, it is advisable to use it as a ground cover plant. Erika's plantings are also used to frame flower beds.

What are the varieties of Eric herbal

More than 100 varieties of herbal erica are known, among which frost-resistant varieties are most suitable for northern latitudes "Alba», «Snow Queen», «Viveli», «March Sidling», «Winter Beauty».

How to distinguish Erica herbal from regular heather

The main difference between erica herbal and ordinary heather is in the shape of flowers: erica herbal red flowers have an oval shape, while heather has a star shape.

Erica herbal: growing methods

Erika herbal red can be grown both by seed and vegetative method. In the first case, advance preparation of seedlings will be required, which can be placed in open ground only a year after the emergence of sprouts. The vegetative method involves dividing the bush, as well as cuttings. Cut cuttings of herbal erica are first soaked in Kornevin solution, then planted in a pot or container, where they wait for the next season to be planted in open soil.

Instructions for growing Erica herbal

Seeds of red erica herbal are planted in a container filled with soil with the addition of peat and needles and covered with glass or foil. With regular spraying, they germinate within 1-2 months, after which the glass should be removed and the seedlings rearranged to a cooler place. When the soil dries up, spraying is performed, and peat top dressing is also recommended.
In open ground, the sprouts are planted in holes located at a distance of 0.5 m from each other. It is recommended to pour some sand on the bottom of the hole. Planting depth is 20-25 cm.
The method of dividing a bush involves digging up the plant and dividing it into several parts, which are then planted separately. In this case, the deepening should be greater than during the first landing. This procedure will rejuvenate the heather bush.
Caring for Erica herbal is simple: regular watering, removal of dried flowers and timely pruning are required. In the spring, immediately after flowering, it is necessary to cut off the tops of the branches, just below the last wilted flower - this contributes to the appearance of new shoots and an increase in the number of flower buds. For the winter, it is necessary to cover the herbal Erica with spruce branches, or sprinkle it with peat and fallen leaves.

When to plant Erica

Usually, Erica herbal is planted in open ground in the first half of spring - before the beginning of the flowering period, or immediately after. Summer and autumn planting is possible after pruning.

Erica herbal. Where to plant?

Most preferred are neutral and acidic soils with a high sand content. It is recommended to prepare the land by introducing peat; mulching with needles also does not interfere. Since stagnation of water is contraindicated in erika herbal, landing in a lowland is excluded. Pre-drainage with sand may be required. It is better to choose a plot with good lighting, protected from the wind, because in the shade, the flowers turn pale and become more rare.
In the same place, Erica herbal can grow for 10 years without a transplant.