Tree heather ∗ The 10 best care and planting tips (Erica arborea)

origin

the Tree heather (erica arborea) is exactly what its name suggests: a tree-like growing species within the plant genus of the heather (Erica). In fact, the wood resembles a larger variant of the well-known winter or summer heather. While the latter are very popular in the local garden culture, tree heather bushes are hardly ever seen in this country. This may mainly be due to the fact that they come from warm Mediterranean regions and are only partially hardy in our northern latitudes.

In their home areas, the entire Mediterranean area including the Canary Islands, Madeira and the Central African highlands, however, the tree heather characterizes the respective to a large extent Landscape picture. Like all Erica, the tree heather thrives in stony, poor areas. It is particularly widespread in forest areas and maquis with acidic soils.

Here in northern Central Europe, tree heather can also be cultivated, but a significantly lower growth height must be expected. Because of the limited frost tolerance, planting outdoors may also be advisable.

Origin at a glance:

• Tree heather is a tree-like type of heather
• Comes from the entire Mediterranean region, the Canaries, Madeira and Central Africa
• In this country, due to moderate frost tolerance, not really cultivable outdoors

growth

The tree heather develops a habit that can be classified between bush and tree. In most of its regions of origin, it grows to 6 meters high, on La Gomera even up to 20 meters. With us, on the other hand, due to the cooler and less light climate, it is already over at about one meter.

The wood, with its initially light, hairy and later reddish-brown fringed shoots forms a dense branching that grows into a bushy crown.

leaves

Narrow, needle-like leaves about half a millimeter wide and approx. 5 millimeters in length. The leaves of most species are dark green, but some cultivars also show other foliage colors such as lime yellow. These can be used to add cheerful splashes of color in the garden all year round.

Sheet properties at a glance:

• Needle-like, approx. 5 mm long leaves
• Mostly dark green in color, but also different colored cultivars available

blossoms

From the end of winter until June, many small, white, in Flowers arranged in groups in an elongated, closed calyx shape and individually outstanding Stamen. In their opulence and white color, they not only stand out nicely from the dark foliage, but also exude a lovely, honey-like scent. A heather shrub does not form the first flowers until after a few years.

Flower characteristics in brief:

• First flowers only after a few years
• Flowering time from the end of winter until June
• Chalice-like shape, white color, lush group position
• Pleasant honey-like fragrance

Which location is suitable?

In their home regions, the tree heather allows itself to be pampered by a lot of sun and therefore needs a sunny location all the more urgently in our rather darker latitudes. If you want to plant them outdoors, make sure that the place can be reached by the sun at all times of the day if possible. If you keep the shrub in the bucket, a free space on a south-facing terrace or a south-facing balcony is ideal.

A critical factor in outdoor cultivation is of course the frost, which has a somewhat harder effect in exposed locations. A few low trees in the not too distant neighborhood are therefore not wrong.

• Tree heather should get as sunny a place as possible
• In the bucket, parking space on the south-facing terrace is ideal
• However, due to its sensitivity to frost, do not plant too exposed

What soil does the plant need?

Tree heather is one of those types of heather that prefer acidic soil. The substrate should also be humic and not too compact. Add a good amount of sand to the substrate, and a good amount of compost is not bad. To acidify the bucket earth, you can use peat and a little vinegar. If you want to put the shrub outdoors, loosen the planting hole well beforehand.

To note:

• The substrate for tree heather should be acidic and humus
• Loosen soil with sand and enrich it with compost
• If necessary, acidify the bucket earth with peat and vinegar

Water tree heather

In the spring, when the tree heather gets into growth mode, you should give it a good supply of water. However, only so far that the planting base does not dry out completely. The earth must not be too wet, after all, the shrub comes from generally dry regions. It is important - especially if you keep the tree heather in the bucket - that you use water with little lime, preferably from one, according to your preference for an acidic soil environment Rain barrel.

Casting practice in brief:

• Water regularly, especially in spring during the growth phase
• Otherwise rather moderate, just don't let it dry out
• Use (rain) water as soft as possible

Fertilize tree heather properly

Since tree heather thrives on acidic soil, special fertilizers are suitable for it as growth promoters, for example preparations for rhododendrons. However, it should be fertilized in moderation and only during the main vegetation phase from spring through summer. For long-term supply you can use the planting ground or Add a good amount of compost to the tub substrate.

Fertilizer recommendation in brief:

• Use special fertilizers, e.g. for rhododendrons
• Use compost as a long-term supply
• Additional fertilization only over the main vegetation phase

Cut tree heather correctly

Regular pruning is definitely recommended for tree heather if you value compact, elegant growth. Incidentally, this also applies to all other heather species that are cultivated in the garden. The shaping pruning is best done in the early end of winter, before the flowers set in. After flowering in July or August, another pruning is advisable so that a beautiful abundance of flowers can develop in the following year.

Cutting care in brief:

• Regular pruning is recommended for compact growth
• Shaping pruning in winter
• Pruning in summer after blooming to encourage flowers

Overwinter

Wintering is an important chapter in tree heather. Since it cannot withstand our winters with certainty, the Erica fan has to make the decision when planting decide whether he can be responsible for outdoor cultivation or if he prefers the safer, because mobile, container culture puts.

In mild regions, planting outdoors is certainly possible if appropriate protective measures are taken during longer periods of frost. In areas where the thermometer can fall below -10 ° C for a long time in winter, it is better to avoid outdoor cultivation. Anyone who has decided to plant them permanently in the garden should use the shrub disc with fir branches and / or at temperatures below 0 ° C Garden fleece cover.

If a heather shrub is largely frozen back in winter, you don't have to give it up immediately. Wait for spring, cut back the frozen material radically and wait to see if the plant sprouts again. This is quite possible under favorable conditions.

If you keep the tree heather in the bucket, you are of course more flexible when it comes to wintering. Just put them in a cool but bright place in autumn, when the temperatures are permanently in the single digits. A cold house is best, but also an unheated entrance porch or a Garden shed(€ 39.99 at Amazon *) with a window are good places to spend the winter. The temperature in the winter quarters should be around 5 ° C. During the wintering period, water the tree heather only enough so that it does not dry out.

Winter rules in brief:

• Can be overwintered outdoors in milder regions
• Then cover with fir branches and / or garden fleece in severe frost periods with permanent negative values
• When keeping a bucket in autumn, place it in a light, cool (approx. 5 ° C) location (cold or garden house)

tip

In the bucket culture, a heather shrub is particularly decorative in a basket planter. The wooden mesh emphasizes the rustic character of the tree heather and its shrubby habit. Several differently colored leafy varieties look very nice in groups.

sorts

Erica have become hugely popular again recently and are eagerly bred for marketing. Especially the winter and summer heather are on the advance. But even with the tree heather there are now numerous different cultivars that offer the hobby gardener creative freedom. Here, too, especially varieties with different colored leaves than the original dark green have enriched the market.

Erica arborea 'Albert's Gold'

This tree heather variety shows a golden-lime-yellow foliage, which provides a distinctive color accent in the garden or on the terrace all year round. The color of the foliage looks particularly beautiful in contrast to the red-brown bark that peeks out between the needle-like leaves. The tree heather 'Alberts Gold' is a maximum of one meter high and is relatively tolerant of single-digit minus values. So it can be planted in a heather garden in milder regions. But it also looks good in a terracotta tub, and is particularly decorative on natural stone slabs.

Erica arborea 'Estrella Gold'

This variety also shows yellow foliage, but in a slightly warmer, softer tone. The 'Estrella Gold' is also almost a meter high. It is a little more sensitive to frost, which is why a bucket culture is preferable to planting it outdoors. The whole first half of the year delights you with a fragrant magic of flowers.

Erica arborea 'Alpina'

The tree heather 'Alpina' is dressed in light, fresh green foliage and is particularly attractive in combination with pink flowering rhododendrons. Its leaves have a particularly fine, almost feathery structure, which is why the variety does well in Japanese rock gardens. A nice structural contrast can be created in rustic wicker planters. The variety grows to 80 to 100 cm high and is hardy down to the single-digit minus temperature range.