Winter Heath.

En un coup d'œil

Niveau d'entretien

Facile

Type de plante

Evergreen shrub

Lumière

Full sun to partial shade

Lumière en intérieur

Soleil direct

Arrosage

Tous les 7 à 14 jours

Taille adulte

6 to 12 inches tall

Croissance

Moyenne

Rusticité

USDA 5 à 7

Floraison

Late winter to mid spring

Entretien

Plant this heath in acidic soil and make sure it has good drainage to keep the roots happy. Watch for browning foliage which often signals the soil is too dry or not acidic enough. A light trim after flowering helps keep the plant compact and tidy.

Arrosage

Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged.

Engrais

Apply a slow release acid loving fertilizer once in early spring.

Taille

Prune lightly immediately after the flowers fade to maintain shape.

Rempotage

Only repot if the plant becomes root bound in its container.

Sol

Acidic, well draining soil

pH du sol

4.5 to 6.0

Température

-20 à 30°C

Humidité

40 à 70%

Résistance à la sécheresse

Moyenne

Durée de vie

Perennial, typically 10 to 15 years

Parfum

Léger

Résistance aux chevreuils et lapins

Moyenne

Sécurité

Humains

The plant is generally considered non-toxic, though it is not meant for consumption.

Enfants

The small, needle-like leaves may pose a minor choking hazard if ingested by small children.

Allergènes de contact

The foliage can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals due to fine hairs.

Allergènes aéroportés

Pollen is generally heavy and not a major cause of airborne allergies.

Comestibilité

This plant is not considered edible and should not be consumed.

Comment l'identifier

• Needle like evergreen leaves
• Small bell shaped pink flowers
• Low growing spreading habit
• Whorled leaf arrangement on stems

Hauteur

0,15 à 0,3m

Envergure

0,3 à 0,6m

Feuilles

dark green, bronze, evergreen

Fleurs

pink, white, purple, 0,5 à 1cm

Problèmes courants

• Root rot — Occurs when soil remains waterlogged for extended periods.
• Powdery mildew — A fungal growth appearing as white dust on foliage during humid conditions.

La cultiver

Multiplication

cuttings, division

Quand planter

spring, autumn

Hivernage

This plant is very hardy and requires no special winter protection in most climates. Ensure the soil remains well-drained to prevent root damage during freeze-thaw cycles.

En pot

It performs beautifully in containers, provided you use an ericaceous potting mix and a pot at least 30 cm wide.

Pair this with other acid-loving plants to ensure all members of the bed thrive in the same soil pH.

Bonnes associations

• Rhododendron — They share similar requirements for acidic, well-draining soil.
• Pieris japonica — Both plants thrive in acidic conditions and provide contrasting textures.

Espèces similaires

• Bruyère — Often confused with Erica, but has flatter, scale-like leaves.

Science

Famille

Ericaceae

Genre

Erica

Ordre

Ericales

Classe

Magnoliopsida

Région d'origine

Central and Southern Europe

Préservation

This species is common in its native range and is not currently threatened.

It thrives in open, acidic woodlands and heathlands where it can access sufficient light.

Intérêt pour la faune

early season nectar source

Pollinisateurs

abeilles

Utilisations

groundcover, rock gardens, winter interest, container gardening

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

Does it need pruning?

Yes, trim back the flower stems after they fade to keep the plant compact.

Can I grow this in a pot?

It grows very well in containers as long as the soil is acidic and well-drained.

D'où vient le nom

The genus name Erica comes from the Greek word ereike, meaning to break, while the species name carnea refers to the flesh-colored flowers.

Bon à savoir

• It is often called winter heath because it blooms while snow is still on the ground.
• The flowers are technically urn-shaped and hang in clusters.
• It is a calcifuge, meaning it prefers acidic soil and dislikes lime.
• The foliage often turns a bronze color during the winter months.