- origin
- growth
- leaves
- blossom
- fruit
- use
- Edible
- Which location is suitable?
- What soil does the plant need?
- increase snow heather
- cuttings
- snow heather in a pot
- Pour snow heather
- Fertilize snow heather properly
- Cut snow heather properly
- hardy
- fungus
- pests
- sorts
Snow heaths live up to their name, because the dwarf shrubs bloom in the dreary and gray winter months. Its delicate blooms provide colorful accents on the balcony and in the garden. Although the plant is easy to care for, potted plants in particular require special care.
The snow heather is extremely hardy
Table of Contents
Show all- origin
- growth
- leaves
- blossom
- fruit
- use
- Edible
- Which location is suitable?
- What soil does the plant need?
- increase snow heather
- cuttings
- snow heather in a pot
- Pour snow heather
- Fertilize snow heather properly
- Cut snow heather properly
- hardy
- fungus
- pests
- sorts
- Common heather: Leaves opposite and scaly
- Bell heather: Leaves ciliated with stiff hairs
- Gray heather: stamens included in the corolla
- broom
- rhododendron
- juniper
- dwarf spruces and pines
- Rhododendron clay and sand
- bog soil and perlite
- Peat, sand, garden soil and compost
- spread a thick layer of straw, leaves or brushwood on the substrate
- Wrap the pot in jute or cover it with straw mats
- Wrap chicken wire (€14.99) around the bucket and fill the gaps with fir branches
- Foxhollow: Broad variety. Leaves golden yellow in color with orange tips. Flowering time between February and March, pale pink flowers. Grows to 30 centimeters high and 45 centimeters wide.
- Springwood White: Vigorous grew, prostrate. Tolerates shade. Foliage colored dark green. Flowers large, white with brown stamens. Flowering time between January and May. Grows to 15 centimeters high and 45 centimeters wide.
- Westwood Yellow: Squat variety. leaves golden yellow. Flowers small, dark pink. Blooms between February and March. Growth height and width between 15 and 25 centimeters.
- livelii: Dense growth. Leaves dark green, green with a reddish tinge in winter. Flowers dark pink with offset corolla lobes, flowering period between March and May. Grows 15 inches high and 30 inches wide.
- December Red: spreading. leaves dark green. Flowers small, intense pink. Blooms between December and May. Height of growth up to 20 centimeters, width up to 45 centimeters.
origin
Snow heather, also known as spring heather or winter heather, belongs to the heather family or Ericaceae. Its botanical name is Erica carnea. The species suffix carnea indicates the coloring of the flowers. The natural habitat is in mountainous regions of western, central and southern Europe. Snow heaths grow in the Alps up to altitudes of 2,700 meters. They also occur in the flatter foothills of the Alps and in Morocco.
While other types of heather grow on acidic substrates, the snow heather prefers areas with calcareous soil. Your area is located where dolomite rock characterizes the subsoil. The woody plants grow in dry forests with Scots pine, black pine and larch. In the area of the tree line, the snow heath dominates in the plant community of the dwarf shrub heaths.
growth
As a dwarf shrub, the snow heather develops a low and richly branched bush, the thin stems of which lie down or rise in an arching manner. Their shoots become lignified over time. It forms a fine root system that spreads flat near the top layer of soil. Erica carnea grows up to 30 centimeters high. The snow heather is easily confused with other heather plants. There are subtle differences between the species that make it easier to recognize:
leaves
Snow heaths develop sessile leaves, which are arranged in a whorled manner along the shoot axis. The narrow, lanceolate leaf blade merges directly into the stem axis. It is dark green in color and shines on the upper side. On the underside, a raised midrib in white color is clearly visible. The leaves are evergreen and appear needle-like due to their reduced shape. These thick leaves are an adaptation to natural habitats that lack important nutrient salts in the soil.
blossom
Erica carnea produces nodding flowers densely clustered in racemose inflorescences. They sit unilaterally in the leaf axils and are hermaphroditic. Three dry-skinned and slightly reddish colored sepals surround a bell-shaped corolla whose petals are fused. The flower shines in white, pink and red nuances. The dark stamens are striking, which, unlike related heather plants, are not hidden in the crown. Together with the stylus, they protrude from the crown bell.
Snow heathers are early bloomers with a flowering period that extends from January to April. Some varieties flower from December or until May. This makes the plant a valuable plant for bee pastures, because bees and butterflies are also responsible for pollination. The dwarf shrubs form their buds in the previous year, before winter sets in.
fruit
After the flowering period, a capsule fruit develops from each individual flower. It is hidden deep in the flower bell and opens when it is dry. This special fruit shape ensures that the numerous and very small seeds are spread with the wind. These so-called granule flyers are light and can therefore cover long distances.
use
Snow heaths are popular ornamental shrubs that adorn not only parks but also gardens. The plants have been grown mainly in England since the early 19th century. Since then, numerous varieties have emerged, which differ in their striking flower and leaf colors. Their low stature makes them perfect ground covers that are also used as grave plants. Their early flowering period makes the dwarf shrubs attractive plants that herald spring with their blooms. In large groups, the Schneeheide unfolds its full potential.
design options
Erica carnea adorns rock gardens and pot arrangements. It can be placed in mixed beds or planted as a border. The dwarf shrubs harmonize with ornamental grasses, ornamental foliage plants, bulb flowers or fine perennials. They look particularly decorative between large stones or gnarled roots.
These are suitable plant partners:
Snow heaths are popular forage plants for special moth species. The caterpillars of the heather tomato moth and the heather owl, which is listed as endangered, feed on the leaves of the plant. This ecological aspect makes the dwarf shrubs popular plants in gardens that are designed to be close to nature. The feeding does not damage the plants.
Edible
Erica carnea does not contain any toxic active substances. It is an essential part of herbal medicine and is used in the form of teas and extracts. You can plant the dwarf shrub in your garden without hesitation, even if you have children or pets.
Which location is suitable?
Snow heaths prefer a sunny location. They also thrive in light shade, although the flowers are less luxuriant in these places.
What soil does the plant need?
A well drained soil that meets fresh conditions is ideal for cultivation. Erica carnea likes humus-rich substrate that can be calcareous. It tolerates soils with pH values between 4.5 and 7. The dwarf shrub forms communities with certain root fungi. This symbiosis is vital so that the plant is supplied with all the important nutrients. Therefore, plant newly purchased dwarf shrubs together with the potting soil so as not to destroy the fungus.
You can use these substrate mixtures:
increase snow heather
Erica canea can be propagated using various methods that have their advantages and disadvantages.
division
Large stands of plants are propagated by dividing the root ball. Before digging up the plant, it should be cut back. The roots are cut into several pieces with a sharp knife so that each part of the plant has enough foliage and buds. When doing this, make sure that not too much of the old substrate is lost. It may be that the root fungus has been damaged and the partial plants then no longer grow vigorously or die.
lowering
In the spring you can bend a long shoot to the ground and carve it crosswise at the top. Cover the part lying on the ground lightly with soil and fix the shoot with a stone. The tip of the branch should stick out of the substrate. Water the substrate regularly and allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
In autumn you can easily pull the shoot. If it is difficult to detach from the substrate, it has developed enough roots and can be separated from the mother plant. This propagation method has the advantage that the roots of the mother plant are not damaged.
cuttings
During the growth phase you can cut shoots from a healthy mother plant. The cuttings should not be completely lignified so that they can form new roots. Make sure the shoots are between 25 and 35 millimeters long. The lower part is defoliated to prevent the foliage from rotting. Put the shoot up to the leafy part in a planter filled with potting soil. The soil should be nutrient-poor and constantly moist.
When the pot is high enough, you can cover it with clear foil. It should not touch the tips of the shoots, otherwise they will quickly become crooked. This measure favors a constant humidity and the substrate dries out less quickly. It takes about 45 days for the cuttings to develop roots.
snow heather in a pot
Erica carnea is suitable for planting in tubs. Here the dwarf shrub cuts a fine figure on balconies and terraces. The vessel should have drainage holes so that no water accumulates in the substrate. Overwintering the potted plants is difficult. The lower leaves often turn brown after winter. After a while, the dwarf shrub looks unsightly. Appropriate protective measures are necessary to ensure that potted plants survive the winter.
Pour snow heather
Winter heaths have moderate water requirements. They enjoy occasional rainwater irrigation. Stale tap water is also suitable. The substrate should be moderately moist and allowed to dry between waterings. The dwarf shrubs also need water during the cold season. Water the plants on frost-free days and make sure that the water drains off completely, especially with potted plants. Excess water in the coaster should be poured out.
In winter, only water the plants at the base. The water should not run over the leaves, otherwise there is a risk of being burned by the sun.
Fertilize snow heather properly
Erica carnea does not need to be fertilized, since it obtains all the vital substances through its symbiosis with the root fungus. On poor soil, you can support growth with a small amount of fertilizer. If the dwarf shrubs show a stunted growth or if they were freshly cut back, they enjoy a weakly concentrated nutrient supply with a special fertilizer. You can use a liquid rhododendron fertilizer.
Cut snow heather properly
As soon as the inflorescences have withered, they should be cut back to the ground. This measure stimulates plant growth and ensures that the dwarf shrubs develop dense, bushy branches. Numerous buds are formed on the fresh shoots in autumn, so that the plants will also bloom profusely in the next season. Use pruning shears with sharp blades that have been thoroughly cleaned beforehand.
If you don't cut the plant back in spring every year, there is a risk of the lower area becoming bare. The snow heather grows in a targeted manner and sheds the lower branches. The longer the shoots become, the more they lean towards the ground. It seems as if the growth is falling apart.
hardy
Winter heaths are extremely frost-resistant and have no problems with temperatures in the double-digit minus range. The evergreen shrubs need water during the cold season to keep their leaves from drying out. Water the plants on frost-free days.
Overwintering potted plants
If the substrate in the tub freezes, the dwarf shrubs cannot maintain their water balance. The root fungus dies and can no longer supply the plant with nutrients. Waterlogging is also often a problem in winter. If the roots are in cold water, the plants react sensitively. Root rot can occur.
How to protect the bucket:
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fungus
Honey fungus root rot is an insidious disease that is not noticed until late. The spores usually sit in the substrate for a long time without causing any damage. Only waterlogging, frost and drought stress trigger a fungal infestation.
The spores of the fungus Armillaria mellea settle on rotten roots and accelerate root rot. The plant can no longer be supplied with sufficient nutrients and water, so that its growth stagnates at first. If the infestation is not noticed, the plant dies. No countermeasures are known. Affected plants should be dug up and discarded.
pests
Snow heaths are often attacked by the vine weevil. The nocturnal beetles are ten millimeters long and lay their eggs at the base of the trunk. The hatched larvae bore into the substrate and feed on the roots. The beetles feed on the leaf mass and leave clearly recognizable feeding tracks. You should act quickly to prevent the plant from dying.
Special pest traps have proven to be effective against the beetles. You should regularly check the plant at dusk. When threatened, the beetles drop to the ground and pretend to be dead. A decoction of tansy, neem or garlic acts as a preventative against pest infestation. Plant pots can be protected with glue rings.
Feed your plant Steinernema kraussei nematodes in October and February. They kill the larvae in the substrate. The nematodes need a minimum temperature of 13 degrees Celsius for their metabolism. If your plant is attacked during the mild winter months, you should plant it in fresh substrate as a precaution.
tips
Create a colorful plant arrangement with species that are equally hardy and sun-loving. In addition to snow heather, horned violets fit perfectly into the balcony box. The silver herb decorates the design with its bizarre growth.