Erica is the flower of the famous singer and is considered a relict plant. This is one of the many representatives of the family Heather, which in turn has many species. In more detail about all subtleties and features of the plant Eric, as well as about the rules of growing and caring for a flower in the garden, we will talk in this article.
Erica: plant description
Erica is a plant with a rather interesting appearance, the description of which is the following: shrub small (up to 30 cm), evergreen. Small leaves (up to 1 cm), have the shape of a needle and "scattered" along the entire length of the stem. Stem hard, upright and quite long.
Like the rest of the heather family, the plant "Eric" blooms with small flowers, similar to the drooping heads of bells, gathered in a small one-sided brush. The color of flowers varies depending on the species and can be either pure white or deep purple.
Did you know? Inexperienced flower growers believe that Erica and Heather - the same thing, but these two plants have a very significant difference: erica - evergreen.Erika shrub is from South Africa, and the plant was first cultured in England for the first time in the middle of the 18th century and since then it has become popular in Belgium, Holland and other countries. Erika came to our region from Germany, in 1994. Now grown in different ways: as a houseplant, and as a decoration for the garden.
The main types of Erica
Despite the large number of species of eric, gardeners focus on a few basic ones that can be easily grown at home. They all differ in size and color.
Erica Rosy or Herbal
Erica carnea L. = E. herbacea - erica ruddy, or herbal. Most often, it is found in southern and central parts of Europe.
Erica Herbal - shrub growing up to 65 cm in height and up to 40 cm in diameter. His crown is branched, the leaves are bright green, 4-8 mm in size, glossy, needle-shaped, arranged in a whorl of 4 pcs.
Flowers - drooping, in the form of a bell are collected in the brush and are located in the axils of the leaves. Brush size - 2-5 cm. Flowers of red or pink flowers, less often - white color.
Important! The flowering period of the plant depends on the region of growth: in Russia, this process begins in late April and early May, but the more south the territory, the earlier Erica grass will bloom (maybe even in March).The most common type of Erica herbal is the type of "Eric Alba", which became the basis for many hybrid varieties.
Erica graceful
Erica graceful - plant up to 50 cm in height with uneven crown: lateral shoots are shorter than the central ones. The leaves are linear, painted in a light green color, grow no more than 4 mm. The flowers are oval-shaped, elongated, bright red. Gather in small inflorescences of 4 pieces at the tip of the shoot. 
Erica's elegant flowering begins in October and ends in February. Many varieties of this species differ in color: they can mostly be pink or white.
Did you know? Erica Graceful, most often grown as an indoor annual plant.Erica gracilis is propagated vegetatively, rooting the stalk in an acidic, nutritious soil.
Eric plant does not require special care: this type of moisture is quite good, warm and well lit places.
It looks good next to cyclamen and chrysanthemums, and as a decoration for a pot with Erica, you can use special stones, or decorative roots.
Erica Darlen
Erica Darlen - shrub with a strongly branched crown, which in nature can grow up to 90 cm, in home cultivation - no more than half a meter. 
Erica Darlene - a hybrid that combines several varieties that begin to bloom in late April or early May.
In addition, this species is characterized by rapid growth, which attracts many gardeners. The color of the flowers varies and, depending on the variety, can be either snow white or pink or dark crimson.
Some of the varieties tolerate only small frosts and are not frost resistant.
Erica does not require much effort in the process of care, and growing as a whole is a fairly simple matter. It is enough just to water the plant in time, spray it and feed it. Also for this type it is better to choose a place well lit, sheltered from the wind.
Where is the best place to plant Erica
On the issue of choosing a place for eric, it is necessary to take into account the fact that in natural conditions the shrub grows on well-drained and breathable soil, which means that similar conditions must be ensured in home-grown, because stagnant water in the root system can lead to flower diseases.
As for the place, the plant does not tolerate direct sunlight, therefore, it is better to choose a well-lit, but cool area.
Based on this, on the east, or east-west window, Eric will feel great.
The soil should be acidic, with a pH of 3-4. Soil is best for eric consisting of turf, peat and sand.
Growing erica
Growing eric is a simple process, but you need to do everything in a comprehensive manner, observing the rules of planting, watering, feeding and hibernating the plant. We will talk more about this later.
How and when to plant Erica
It is best to plant Erica with the onset of the first warm days when the temperature outside will stabilize around +10 ° C. This is a basic condition, the observance of which will help the plant to get stronger before winter.
If you plant Eric in the fall, the shoots will freeze, or, in the worst case, the plant will die. Usually, when planting on the roots, the soil remains, therefore, before planting it is necessary to moisten them well. 
Breeding erica
Erica can be propagated vegetatively, using cuttings, or using seeds in propagation of natural varieties.
Important! Hybrid varieties are best propagated vegetatively, as in seed reproduction, they may not retain the varietal characteristics of the "parent" plants.Reproduction by cuttings easy to carry out. The best period for this procedure is the end of summer.
Cut the stalk to plant in a mixture of peat and sand and create a "wigging effect" by covering the container with glass or film. In this state, the cuttings are up to spring. Periodically, the film needs to be removed and "aired" the planted plants, as well as to moisten the earth with a spray gun.
By spring there will be cuttings that need to prikopat. When the root system is sufficiently developed, plants can be planted in pots.
Seed propagation happens as follows: Erika seeds are sown on the surface of a soil mixture consisting of sand, coniferous soil and heather soil (they do not need to be dredged much). Sowed seeds must be placed under the glass or film and wait for the first shoots to appear, usually this process takes about a month.
The optimum temperature is +18 ° C ... +20 ° C.
Did you know? Sowed seeds should not be watered, and the process of moistening the soil should be carried out carefully by spraying the tank.When the seedlings reach a size of 8-10 cm, they must dive into pots and protect from direct sunlight. In winter, young plants should be placed in a cool place with a temperature of +10 ° C ... +11 ° C.
How to care for Erica
Care for Erica is in the correct and timely watering, pruning, as well as regular feeding of the plant. Watering is carried out only with soft water, as hard water can harm the plant. If you water Erica in a timely manner, you can avoid many problems.
For example, if the soil is constantly wet, then it is much easier to observe the temperature and humidity levels. Spraying should be carried out with water at room temperature, with a frequency of several times a week.
Important! If it so happens that the soil is too dry, then the pot with the plant must be immersed in water for a few minutes.So that the water does not stagnate, it is necessary to ensure good plant drainage during planting - this will save you from unwanted diseases. Once every 2-3 months liquid fertilizer can be added to the water for irrigation, in small doses.
It is also better to feed with the use of mineral fertilizers, or fertilizers for rhododendrons, only the dosage should be lower than indicated on the package (this will help avoid burns that can be caused by contact with highly concentrated substances on the leaves). As for organic matter, it is not recommended to apply fresh manure as a fertilizer.
Erica Trimming
Cropped Erica only in the second year of growth, immediately after flowering. You need to cut the plant below the inflorescence, and also you need to remove the damaged and diseased shoots. Perform the procedure with a sharp pruner, while trying not to damage the top layer. It is better to process cuts immediately with crushed coal or garden pitch..
Wintering erica
If you grow a plant in the open field, it must be properly prepared for the winter. As soon as the first frosts begin, scatter dry leaves or peat around the bushes, and cover the bush itself with folded leaves from above. Such protection will save Eric in a snowless winter. Shelter can be removed with the onset of heat.
As for indoor plants, they must be fed before hibernation and moved to a cooler place.
Erica pests and diseases
The most common problem faced by those who grow Eric is plant dropping leaves. Solving it is simple enough; you just need to give Eric more moisture. However, it is also important to observe the norm, otherwise the roots of the plant will immediately rot.
From insects can harm the insects and mites. To remove insects and traces of them from the stem and leaves, it is enough to wipe these parts of the plant with ordinary cotton soaked in alcohol, and then treat with insecticides or acaricides to fight ticks.
As a preventive measure, it is often necessary to spray the plant with soapy water, and to timely remove all fallen leaves from under the bush, since they are the breeding ground for diseases.
As you can see, growing this evergreen wonder is easy enough, but for the shrub to please you with its beautiful view for many years you need only a little care and patience. A large number of existing species today will allow you to choose a plant "to taste."
