With its needle-like leaves and bell-shaped flowers, Erica Carnea attracts a variety of pollinators, including bees. In addition to being an important source of nectar for bees, Erica Carnea also has several other benefits for these crucial pollinators. For example, Erica Carnea provides essential nutrients and habitat for bees in colder climates where food sources can be limited during the winter months.
These plants are ideal nest sites due to their small stature and dense structure, making them an attractive choice for beekeepers looking to establish their beekeeping apiaries in natural environments. They are important for bees because its early flowering time, giving bees something to feed on when they first come out of hibernation.
What Is Erica Carnea
Also known as the winter heath or alpine heath this evergreen is a low-growing winter-flowering heather that is native to mountainous regions of Europe. With evergreen needle-like leaves and slender bell-shaped flowers, they typically bloom in late winter or early spring, even while still covered in snow.
It thrives in woodlands and stony slopes, making it an ideal choice for home gardens with similar growing conditions. Whether used as part of your garden rockery or simply enjoyed for its attractive flowers, Erica carnea is a versatile addition to any garden landscape and gives excellent ground cover.
According to Greek translation, Erica’s name means “heath.” Furthermore, the species name Carnea was chosen because of the pinkish-flesh colour of the wild species’ flowers. Other common names include, Winter Flowering Heather, Alpine Heath, Spring Heath and Herbaceous Heath.
Growing Erica Carnea
Plant in full sun or partial shade. It requires well-drained, acidic soil and will tolerate mildly alkaline soils as well. Will grow at an average rate, with dense clusters of flowers appearing from January to March. Fully hardy and looks best planted in large drifts among other heather varieties in the garden.
For a garden that looks its best, plant six to eight plants per square meter. Give each plant some 20 to 30 cm of space between it and the others. This evergreen shrub commonly grows in locations where pines and other conifers will thrive.
In order to create ideal growing conditions for your winter heath, mix a good quality potting soil with about a third of sand as well as some compost or organic fertilizer or add fresh soil and sand to your existing garden soil before planting your winter heather between September and November when temperatures begin to cool down significantly outside making it much easier for your plant to take root properly when planted at this time of the year. When ready to plant the winter heath into your flowerbeds or planters look for sunny locations and make sure to dig a hole slightly deeper than the height of the root ball.
Where To Buy Erica Carnea
Looking for winter-blooming heathers that will add a splash of colour to your garden during the cold winter months? Look no further than Erica Carnea, one of the most popular and beautiful winter flowering shrubs on the market.
At Crocus.co.uk, they offer high-quality plants at affordable prices, making it easy to add this stunning flower to your garden or landscape. With winter-blooming heathers that are perfect for creating eye-catching displays in any setting.
Visit Crocus.co.uk today and discover the many benefits of adding winter flowering heathers like Erica Carnea to your outdoor space.
Alluring Varieties
Myretoun Ruby – a low-growing evergreen shrub that can grow 15cm tall and 45cm wide, the dark green foliage brightens up any space, and the racemes of deep rose-pink to magenta enhanced flower colour that bloom from winter to spring.
Whitehall – A dwarf shrub, with stems that point upward and form a low mound 10-30cm high. The leaves are a brilliant green, and the pure white flowers have striking brown anthers that appear from late winter to early spring.
Adding winter heathers to your garden can be a great way to attract bees and other pollinators this spring. With their attractive green foliage, bright flowers and ability to thrive in sunny or partially shaded locations, these bee-friendly shrubs are an excellent choice for any home gardener looking to create a vibrant and thriving garden space for bees.
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