Erica carnea

Erica carnea ‘Rosalie’

Erica carnea is a low growing evergreen plant with a spreading habit. Generally it produces flowers from January to late April. Its natural habit is the semi alpine regions of Northern Italy and countries bordering the Adriatic Sea. It is especially useful in the garden due to its tolerance of heavier non-acid (alkaline) soil conditions and its long Winter/Spring flowering season.

The habit of Erica carnea is of benefit where ground cover is a requirement, it produces a thick carpeting blanket of foliage supressing annual weed growth. Some varieties are more vigorous in their trailing habit (‘Springwood White’, ’Pink Spangles’) whilst others are more compact and bushy (‘King George’, ‘Tanja’)

There are many varieties available with flower colour ranging from white (‘Isabel’, ‘Winter Snow’) through to pink (‘Pink Spangles’, ‘Rosalie’), purple (‘March Seedling’, ‘Loughrigg’) and red (‘Myretoun Ruby’, ‘Nathalie’). Some with gold foliage ( ‘Foxhollow’, ‘Bell’s Extra Special’) and also bright yellow foliage (‘Golden Starlet’).

Recent hybridisation has led to many new varieties and enhanced flower colour. In addition breeding has produced varieties with a more upright flower spike making the flower more visible and improving the display.

Cultivation

Erica carnea does not require an acid soil for it to grow. It will grow on alkaline soils although increases in the degree of alkalinity will affect its performance and foliage colour.

It can be grown in containers or in beds, the texture of heavy (clay) soils can be beneficially improved by the addition of peat and/or coarse grit.

Trim to base of flowering spike after flowering.

Ensure the plants are kept moist during the first year of planting and in dry conditions.

For best results feed sparingly in Spring and early Summer with a general fertiliser.

Ensure the plants are kept moist during the first year of planting and in dry conditions.

For best results feed sparingly in Spring and early Summer with a general fertiliser.