From the very beginning of spring until late autumn, the amazing Erica plant, belonging to the heather family, pleases with its violent long flowering, a variety of color palettes. Originally from South Africa, it has thoroughly won the hearts of gardeners in different parts of the globe.
Description
Most types of erica are evergreen shrubs that are very similar to heather. It is distinguished by narrow needle-like leaves up to 1 cm long, similar to needles, which grow at right angles to the shoot. During the flowering period, Erica is covered with numerous small flowers resembling elongated drooping bells. They are collected in large one-sided brushes and have a wide variety of shades - from white to dark purple. After flowering, the color remains for a long time. The fruits are capsules with very small seeds that remain viable for several years.
In the role of a cultivated plant, natural species of Erica began to be used in England from the middle of the 18th century. Then in Belgium and Hollandafter almost a hundred years, selection work began, thanks to which many hybrids appeared. Today, the erica plant, a description of some of which is given below, is grown both in open ground and in pots, decorating window sills and terraces. It is unpretentious and does not need special care.
Types of Erica
This plant has a wide variety of species. Among them there are several gardeners who are distinguished by an increased interest in them:
- Eric grassy, or ruddy, is the very first to bloom - already in April it is covered with pink or reddish bells. The height of this shrub is from 30 to 50 cm. Its outstretched stems are capable, under favorable conditions, of forming a pillow up to half a meter in diameter on the soil surface.
- Erika dainty is cultivated mainly as a potted plant. Flowering begins in November and continues for several months. There are several varieties of Erica graceful - with white, pink and reddish flowers.
- The Erica Darlene plant is a hybrid created by the English breeder Darley Dale at the beginning of the 20th century. Today it is widespread in Russia. Differs in high winter hardiness and plentiful long blossoming. There are more than 20 varieties of this species, the tallest of which reaches a height of 50 cm.
- Plant erica rosea is one of the shortest species. Its height rarely exceeds 20 cm. Dark red flowers appear in April.
All species of this plant are propagated by seeds or cuttings. For permanentseedlings can be transplanted no earlier than after 1.5–2 years.
Seed propagation
This method is quite laborious and is recommended mainly for planting natural types of erica. Seeds are sown on prepared soil, consisting of coniferous, heather soil and sand (in a ratio of 1:2:1, respectively) and covered with glass or plastic wrap. The temperature must be at least 18 ⁰С. Every day, the soil with seeds is sprayed with warm water. The process of seed germination is quite long and takes at least 1 month. As soon as shoots appear and grow a little, they are swooped down and gradually accustomed to sunlight. In order to get stronger, the seedlings will need another 2 months.
Propagation by cuttings
Plants grown this way begin to bloom much earlier than those planted with seeds. Planting material is harvested in the fall, cutting off the tops of lignified shoots. Pre-soaked in a growth stimulator, the cuttings are planted in a substrate consisting of a mixture of peat and sand. Before that, it is recommended to spray them with water. The soil should be sufficiently moist and loose, and the temperature should be in the range of 18–20 ⁰С. Landings should be protected from direct sunlight.
About 3 months later, the cuttings take root. Now you can begin to gradually expose them to the sun and fresh air. This period of hardening lasts for a month. Only then can the young erica plant be planted in the garden.
Choosing a landing site
It should be noted that in nature plants grow only on breathable soils. Without providing good drainage, they simply will not fully develop. The plant does not tolerate stagnant water. When choosing a landing site, avoid areas where there is accumulation of melted snow. In order to maintain the bright color of the leaves and flowers, Erika needs a sufficient amount of sun. Do not plant it in shaded and windswept areas. Erika is a plant that is easy to plant and care for if the right place is chosen for it.
Features of care
Erika prefers slightly acidic or neutral soil. If you add a little river sand to it, the plants will feel great for many years. Growing Erica is within the power of even a novice gardener. All this plant needs is to provide timely watering, top dressing and trim the shoots when flowering ends.
Erika is a plant whose home care also includes preparing for winter. Before the onset of the first frost, it is necessary to moisten and mulch the soil, and cover the plantings with dry foliage or spruce branches. Mulch will not only provide the plant with a good wintering, but also enrich the soil with useful substances.
Feeding
Mineral fertilizers are usually applied during planting, before flowering and after pruning. They are scattered on the surface of the soil, lifting the branches of the plant so as not tolet them burn. You can add fertilizer to the water used for irrigation. When loosening the soil, a layer of mulch is poured on top (up to 5 cm thick). Pine bark, wood chips and peat are used as it.
Irrigation
Although the erica plant is a drought tolerant crop, its care necessarily includes regular watering. You need to make sure that the soil is always moist. Water should be soft, a certain temperature. When the soil dries out, watering is required especially plentiful. A potted plant can be completely immersed in water for half an hour. The erica plant is very sensitive to air humidity. Therefore, it is recommended to periodically spray the ground part.
Cutting
This procedure, which is mandatory for maintaining a decorative look, is performed immediately after the end of Erica flowering. It allows you to form a bush of a beautiful and regular shape. In addition, pruning promotes more lush and abundant flowering in the next season.
You should remove only the green part of the shoot, which has leaves. Experts recommend asymmetrical pruning - it allows you to preserve the natural look of the plant and give it a more attractive appearance.
Diseases and pests
The most common diseases associated with this plant are caused by fungal and viral infections. Among them, gray rot is most common. The reason for its development is usually high humidity. The first signs of the disease are gray bloom, leaf fall and death.young shoots. Today there are enough different antifungal insecticides to help cope with gray rot: Fendazol, Topaz. In case of very serious rot lesions, spraying with a one percent solution of copper sulfate is recommended. Treatment of diseased plants is carried out twice with an interval of 5-10 days.
For preventive purposes, spraying is carried out in the autumn-spring periods, using the above-mentioned preparations for this.
As for insect pests, their erica plant is practically not interested. Occasionally, you can find worms and ticks on it. Against them, the treatment of the stems and leaves of the plant with an alcohol solution, which is applied with a brush, is effective. Then the areas affected by pests are treated additionally with special means called "Aktellik" and "Fitoverm".
Application in landscape design
Erica, due to its late flowering, is a real find for gardeners involved in the creation of rock gardens, rockeries and flower beds. Landscape designers often use it as a ground cover. In addition, blooming erica looks great both in monocompositions and in group plantings.
The plant in the garden creates a special microclimate that promotes the development of other crops - heather, cereals, barberry, Japanese spirea. With such neighbors, Erica looks especially attractive.
For many years this plant has beenuniversally recognized garden decoration.
