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Erica mediterranea - Irish Heath

Erica mediterranea
Irish heath

4,5/5
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Well packaged and arrived in perfect condition.

Jérôme, 26/09/2021

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A superb shrubby heather offering an abundant and long-lasting lilac-pink, fragrant and melliferous flowering in spring but sometimes as early as January in mild climates. It is tall and wide at 1.2 m (3.9 ft). Unlike many other heathers, it tolerates limestone, although it doesn't particularly appreciate it.  
Flower size
5 mm
Height at maturity
1.20 m
Spread at maturity
1.20 m
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -12°C
Soil moisture
Dry soil, Moist soil
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Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time April to May, September to November
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Flowering time January to March
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Description

Erica mediterranea, now renamed Erica erigena, is tall and very bushy. It offers an abundant and long flowering in pink-lilac in spring, but sometimes as early as January in very mild climates. The flowers are fragrant and honey-bearing. This heather tolerates limestone without appreciating it, and is very resistant to drought once established. It can also tolerate brief frosts of around -12° C (10.4° F). Plant it in isolation or in groups of 3 specimens in a wild or romantic garden: this is how it will be the most beautiful!

 

Erica mediterranea, also called Mediterranean heather, belongs, like all heathers, to the Ericaceae family. It is native to the Mediterranean region, Portugal, Spain, the Moroccan Atlas, southwest France (Gironde), but also northwest Italy and western Ireland. It is a relatively hardy shrub, perfectly adapted to seaside and dry, well-drained, acidic, neutral or even slightly limestone soils. This beautiful evergreen shrub, with a flexible and very bushy habit, is rather slow-growing and generally does not exceed 1.5 m (4.9 ft) in all directions. Its lifespan is about 15 years at a minimum. The branches are thin, brittle, and adorned with tiny olive-green leaves in the form of needles. Flowering begins from January to March, earlier or later depending on the climate, and lasts almost 2 months. The flowers resemble small urns, about 3 mm to 4 mm (0.1 in to 0.2 in) long and 2 mm (0.1 in) wide, with small brown stamens protruding. Their colour is a soft heather pink, slightly mauve, and they are so numerous on the shrub that they transform it into a colourful cloud. These flowers are gathered in beautiful long clusters scattered along the branches, in the middle of the evergreen foliage that persists throughout the year.

 

Water-efficient, not demanding on soil type, tolerant to salt spray, and endowed with the charm of wild plants, it is an ideal shrub for landscaping dry gardens or seaside areas. This large heather can be planted with shorter species and varieties that bloom at the same time in various colours: Erica carnea or darleyensis offer blooms ranging from pure white to purple-violet, as well as all shades of pink and red in winter and spring. It can also be paired with shrubby veronicas (Hebe), small-sized Pittosporum (Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Tom Thumb'), Viburnum fragrans, dwarf hollies, or even Chimonanthus praecox. In a naturalistic garden, this heather can form, in a group of 3 to 5 specimens, an extremely romantic setting at a time when flowering is rare.

Erica mediterranea - Irish Heath in pictures

Erica mediterranea - Irish Heath (Flowering) Flowering
Erica mediterranea - Irish Heath (Foliage) Foliage

Plant habit

Height at maturity 1.20 m
Spread at maturity 1.20 m
Habit Irregular, bushy
Growth rate slow

Flowering

Flower colour pink
Flowering time January to March
Inflorescence Cluster
Flower size 5 mm
Fragrance slightly scented, Honey fragrance.
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators
Flowering description Heather flowers are melliferous and more or less scented. They produce a high-quality honey, with a well-structured flavour and a dark colour.

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour medium green

Botanical data

Genus

Erica

Species

mediterranea

Family

Ericaceae

Other common names

Irish heath

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference852941

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Planting and care

Plant early in spring or early in autumn in regions that are not too cold. It enjoys full sun in less sunny regions, but prefers partial shade or morning sun in sunnier climates. It can grow in any well-drained soil, even slightly chalky. Its hardiness is around -12° C (10.4° F) for short periods when well-established. Protect young plants during the first two winters in case of severe cold.

Once well-established, it can withstand anything, but its planting must be careful and watering should be followed during the first two years: if the root ball dries out while the root system is still underdeveloped, the plant will die. Conversely, waterlogged soil, especially in hot weather, can promote the development of a fungus called Phytophthora which, once established, will overcome this heather. During planting, it is advisable to loosen the root ball a little, cut off any overly long roots, and plant in a hole measuring 30x30 cm (11.8x11.8 in), filled with a mixture of coarse sand, ericaceous soil, and garden soil. Water it once or twice a week depending on the ambient temperature, to keep the soil moist while the plant establishes itself. To maintain a compact habit and increase the lifespan of the heather, it is useful, every year after flowering, to prune the faded branches to 2 cm to 5 cm (0.8 in to 2 in) from the previous year's growth, ensuring never to prune below the last green leaves. Erica can also be susceptible to Phytophthora and Rhizoctonia during hot and humid periods. Fertiliser is not necessary, and it is even discouraged to avoid favouring foliage production over flowering (heathers are generally plants of poor soils).

6
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16
€14.50 Each

Planting period

Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time April to May, September to November

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Rockery
Type of use Border, Free-standing, Slope
Hardiness Hardy down to -12°C (USDA zone 8a) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 4 per m2
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Acidic, Neutral
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light), Stony (poor and well-drained)
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil, Well-drained, filtering, sandy soil, without excessive limestone.

Care

Pruning instructions To maintain a compact habit and increase the lifespan of the heather, it is helpful, every year after flowering, to prune the faded branches to 2 cm to 5 cm (0.8 in to 2 in) from the previous year's shoot, ensuring never to prune below the last green leaves.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time April to May
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground
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