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Flower Display Page: Erica.

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Family description Erica.

The Erica family is quite a large and diverse group of plants that are mostly very fussy regarding the soil type. Chalk or lime based soils will give trouble for most of these plants although a few will survive if planted in a hole filled with acid soil such as peat. The plants normally grown tend to get woody and scruffy after a few years, and it is good practice to replace them after 5 years. Flowering times vary with each species, and if a selection is chosen with care, it is possible to have one or two flowering throughout the year. Most though, flower during the winter and early spring months.

General care.

Immediately after flowering, the plants should be given a light haircut with shears to tidy them up. Do not cut into older hard wood as the branch will not re-shoot but die back. Once a year, Heather will benefit from a top dressing of compost or manure to help with the soil acidity.