The tree heather (Erica arborea) is similar in appearance and with the flowers of the summer and winter heather, but grows much larger. While the tree heather forms a thick trunk and can grow up to 6 m high in its areas of origin, it rarely grows higher than 1 m in Central Europe for climatic reasons.

The tree heather is only very limited hardy

The areas of origin of the tree heather

Tree heather is an important part of the landscape in various regions of the Canary Islands. In addition, this plant species originally grows in mountainous regions of the Mediterranean and East Africa. In these relatively mild to tropical climates, tree heath can attain a truly tree-like habit. The flowering time, in which the tree heather opens a large number of persistent, white flowers, is correspondingly impressive. North of the Alps, tree heath thrives relatively well without winter protection, especially in Ireland's mild climate.

Cultivate the tree heather in the pot

Tree heather is very often sold in pots in specialist garden shops. Due to its sensitivity to frost, it can make sense to cultivate the tree heath permanently in pots. But then you have to pay attention to an adequate supply of nutrients and water. While other potted plants are simply placed inside the house or in a basement room over the winter, the tree heath reacts rather sensitively to this. The best option for overwintering potted specimens may be to place the tree heather in an unheated greenhouse or in a bright garden shed (€24.90). Since the roots of potted plants are particularly exposed to the winter cold, the temperatures in the winter quarters of the tree heath should at best fall slightly below freezing for a short time.

The suitable winter protection for the tree heath that overwinters outdoors

Varieties of tree heath such as Erica arborea 'Albert's Gold' or Erica arborea 'Alpina' are winter-hardy outdoors for short periods down to about minus 10 degrees Celsius. In some cases, even lower sub-zero temperatures are survived if the following materials serve as enveloping winter protection:

  • fir branches
  • brushwood
  • fleece

In particular, wrapping in fleece is recommended for a special reason: if the sun shines on the branches of the tree heather in winter, this increases the water requirement, which sometimes cannot be adequately covered from the frozen ground. Thus, the fleece not only serves as protection against the cold, but also for shading the plants.

tips

Similar to winter heather, tree heather blooms relatively early in the year. However, not much of this is seen when the plant is wrapped in dense winter protection in regions with severe winters. You can choose a variety that is golden all year round, such as Erica arborea 'Albert's Gold', so that you have something of the colorful variety of tree heath despite the fact that wintering is more difficult than that of snow heather. Similar to the winter heather, a rejuvenating pruning after flowering is also recommended for the tree heather.

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Herbs