2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Erica - a genus of evergreen plants of the Heather family, which includes about 800 species of dwarf shrubs, shrubs and trees. In nature, Erica is found on the islands of the Atlantic Ocean, in the Mediterranean, Africa and the Caucasus. Along with rhododendron, Erica is one of the largest genera, accounting for 20% of the total species in the family.
Common types and their characteristics
* Erika ruddy, or herbal (lat. Erica carnea) is a type of slow-growing evergreen dwarf shrubs with open branches 0, 1-0, 4 m high and 0.3-0, 5 m wide. The leaves are acicular, bright green in color, with shine, at low temperatures they acquire a bronze tint. The flowers are small, numerous, white, red or pink, drooping, collected in one-sided racemose inflorescences, have a light honey aroma. Erika blooms ruddy in April-May.
* Erika four-dimensional, or crucifix (lat. Erica tetralix) - the species is represented by branchy shrubs with a height of 0.3-0.5 m. The flowers are small, depending on the variety, they can have a pale pink, red or white color. The leaves are medium-sized, gray-green, linear. Erika blooms four-dimensional in July-August.
* Erica darlenskaya (lat. Erica darleyensis) - the species is represented by shrubs with open shoots 0.3-0.5 m high. The leaves are dark green, linear. The flowers are small, lilac-pink. Erica Darlenskaya blooms profusely and for a long time. Differs in relatively fast growth.
Growing conditions
Erica is a light-loving plant that develops well in open sunny areas. The culture is neutral towards light shading, however, brighter flowers are formed in plants on illuminated areas. Erica cannot stand the piercing north winds. Soils for growing crops are desirable acidic, moderately moist, drained, with a rich mineral composition. Erik's ruddy look is only reconciled with alkaline soils. The crop is sensitive to compacted soils.
Reproduction and planting
Erika is propagated by seeds, cuttings, layering and dividing the bush. For cultivars, only vegetative propagation is suitable. The seeds of the culture are sown in seedling boxes and wait for germination, then they are dived into separate pots and grown in room conditions throughout the year. The next spring, young plants are planted in the ground. Cuttings are made in early spring before flowering or 30 days after it. Erica seedlings are planted in April-May or September. The distance between plants should be about 0, 4-0, 5 m. The root collar is not buried when planting.
Care
Erica is hygrophilous, in hot and dry weather it needs abundant watering and spraying. Loosening and removing weeds is an equally important crop care procedure. Erica has a positive attitude to feeding. Fertilizers are applied during planting, before flowering and after pruning. It is preferable to mulch the near-trunk zone with peat, bark or wood chips. Pruning of adult plants is carried out in late spring, immediately after flowering. Young specimens do not need to be pruned. Erica is hardy, but the first 4-5 years after planting, she must be covered for the winter. Spruce branches or any other covering material is ideal for this purpose. Shelter is removed in April.
Application
Erica is highly decorative, looks great in group plantings. Dwarf forms harmoniously fit into rocky gardens, or rather, in rockeries and rock gardens. Erica is combined with rhododendron, thyme, cloves, dwarf thujas, junipers, yews, cypress trees and ornamental grasses. Some species are used as container plants.
