The heather in the form of a tree is not known to everyone. Anyone who likes to travel to Mediterranean regions will certainly know the plant. In this country, too, you can cultivate the largest type of heather - the rustic beauty is definitely a plus!

The tree heather is a tree-like growing heather species

Table of Contents

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  1. origin
  2. growth
  3. leaves
  4. blossoms
  5. Which location is suitable?
  6. What soil does the plant need?
  7. pour tree heather
  8. Fertilize tree heather properly
  9. Properly cut tree heather
  10. hibernate
  11. tip
  12. sorts

    13. origin

    Arboreal heather (erica arborea) is exactly what its name suggests: a tree-like herbaceous species within the plant genus Erica (Erica). In fact, the woody plant 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 shrubs are hardly ever seen in this country. This may be mainly due to the fact that they come from warm Mediterranean regions and are only partially hardy in our northern latitudes.

    In its home areas, the entire Mediterranean region including the Canary Islands, Madeira and the Central African highlands, the tree heath characterizes the respective landscape to a large extent. Like all erica, tree heather thrives in rocky, poor soils. It is particularly widespread in forest areas and maquis with acidic soils.

    Here in northern Central Europe, the tree heath can also be cultivated, but a significantly lower growth height must be expected. Because of the limited frost tolerance, it may also be advisable not to plant outdoors.

    Origin at a glance:

    • Tree heather is tree-like growing species of heather herbs
    • Native to the entire Mediterranean region, the Canary Islands, Madeira and Central Africa
    • Cannot really be cultivated outdoors in this country due to moderate frost tolerance

    growth

    The tree heath develops a habit that is to be classified between a shrub and a tree. In most of its regions of origin it grows up to 6 meters high, on La Gomera even up to 20 meters. With us, on the other hand, because of the cooler and less bright climate, the limit is already about one meter.

    The wood forms a dense branching with its initially light, hairy shoots that later have a reddish-brown bark, which grow into a bushy crown.

    leaves

    Narrow, needle-like leaves about half a millimeter wide and about 5 millimeters long grow on the bushy, branched shoots. Most species have dark green leaves, but some cultivars show other foliage colors such as lime yellow. With such, cheerful splashes of color can be set in the garden all year round.

    Sheet properties at a glance:

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

    blossoms

    From the end of winter until June, many small, white flowers arranged in groups in an elongated, closed calyx shape and individually protruding stamens appear on the branches. With their opulence and white color, they not only stand out beautifully against the dark foliage, but also exude a lovely, honey-like scent. A heather bush forms the first flowers after a few years.

    Flower characteristics in brief:

    • First flowers only after a few years
    • Flowering time from late winter into June
    • Cup-like shape, white color, lush group pose
    • Pleasant honey-like scent

    Which location is suitable?

    In its native regions, the tree heath lets itself be spoiled by a lot of sun and therefore needs a sunny location all the more urgently in our rather dark latitudes. If you want to plant them outdoors, make sure that the sun can reach the spot at all times of the day. If you keep the shrub in a bucket, a free space on a south-facing terrace or balcony is ideal.

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

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

    What soil does the plant need?

    The tree heather is one of those types of heather that prefer acidic soil. The planting ground should also be humus and not too compact. Add a good amount of sand to the substrate, and a good amount of compost is also a good idea. You can use peat and some vinegar to acidify the bucket soil. If you want to plant the shrub outdoors, loosen the planting hole well beforehand.

    To remember:

    • Substrate for tree heather should be acidic and humic
    • Loosen soil with sand and enrich with compost
    • If necessary, acidify the potting soil with peat and vinegar

    pour tree heather

    In the spring, when the tree heath comes into growth mode, you should water it well. However, only so far that the planting ground does not dry out completely. The soil must not be too wet, after all, the shrub comes from rather dry regions overall. It is important - especially if you keep the tree heather in a bucket - that you use low-lime water, preferably from a rain barrel, according to your preference for an acidic soil environment.

    Casting practice in keywords:

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

    Fertilize tree heather properly

    Since the tree heath thrives on acidic soil, special fertilizers are suitable as growth supporters, for example preparations for rhododendrons. However, fertilizer should be used in moderation and only during the main vegetation phase from spring through summer. For long-term care, you can add a good amount of compost to the planting ground or the bucket substrate.

    Fertilizer recommendation in brief:

    • Use special fertilizers, for example for rhododendrons
    • Use compost for long-term care
    • Additional fertilization only during the main vegetation phase

    Properly cut tree heather

    Regular pruning of the tree heather is definitely recommended if you value a compact, shapely growth. This also applies to all other types of heather that are cultivated in the garden. It is best to cut back in the early winter, before the flowers begin to form. After flowering in July or August, another pruning is advisable so that a beautiful abundance of flowers can form in the following year.

    Cutting care in brief:

    • Regular pruning recommended for compact growth
    • Shaping pruning in winter
    • Flower-promoting pruning in summer after flowering

    hibernate

    Hibernation is an important chapter in the tree heath. Since it cannot withstand our winters, the Erica fan has to make the decision when planting whether he can be responsible for outdoor cultivation or whether he prefers the safer, mobile container culture.

    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 longer period of time in winter, it is better to avoid outdoor cultivation. If you have decided to plant out permanently in the garden, you should cover the shrub with fir branches and/or garden fleece from temperatures below 0°C.

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

    If you keep the tree heather in a bucket, you are of course more flexible when it comes to overwintering. Just put them in a cool but bright spot in the fall when temperatures drop consistently into single digits. A cold house is best, but an unheated entrance porch or a garden house (€24.90) with a window are also good places to overwinter. The temperature in the winter quarters should be around 5°C. During the wintering period, water the tree heather just enough to keep it from drying out.

    Hibernation rules in key words:

    • Can be overwintered outdoors in milder regions
    • Then cover with fir branches and/or garden fleece during severe frost periods with permanent negative values
    • If kept in buckets in autumn, place in a bright, cool (about 5°C) place (cold or garden shed)

    tip

    In the bucket culture, a heather bush is particularly decorative in a basket planter. The wooden mesh emphasizes the rustic character of the tree heather and its shrubby habit. Several varieties with different colored leaves look very pretty in groups.

    sorts

    Ericas have recently become extremely popular again and are eagerly bred for marketing. The winter and summer heaths in particular are on the rise. But even with the tree heather there are now numerous different cultivars that offer the hobby gardener creative design freedom. Here, too, varieties with different-colored foliage 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 foliage color is particularly beautiful in contrast to the reddish-brown bark that peeks out from between the needle-like leaves. The 'Albert's Gold' tree heath grows to a maximum of one meter in height and is relatively tolerant of single-digit minus values. It can therefore be planted out in a heather garden in milder regions. But it also looks good in terracotta pots, and it 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' also grows to almost a meter in height. It is somewhat more sensitive to frost, which is why pot culture is preferable to planting outdoors. Throughout the first half of the year, it delights with a fragrant blossom magic.

    Erica arborea 'Alpina'

    The 'Alpina' tree heather has light, fresh green foliage and is particularly attractive in combination with pink rhododendrons. Its leaves have a particularly fine, almost feathery structure, which is why the variety also looks good in the Japanese rock garden. A beautiful structural contrast can be created in rustic wicker cachepots. The variety grows to a height of 80 to 100 cm and is hardy down to single-digit minus temperatures.

Category:

Herbs