Erica vagans
| Erica vagans | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 5 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-7.3 |
| Evergreen Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 2' |
| Width: | 2' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Late Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Shelter | |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Erica vagans (common name: cornish heath)
Propagation: Seed - surface sow in an acid sandy compost in a cold frame in spring. Keep moist. Prick out the plants as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant them in their permanent positions when they are 5 - 8cm tall[1].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 3cm long taken from twiggy lateral growths near the base of the plant, July/August in a frame. Remove the leaves from the bottom part of the stem without causing any damage to the bark. The cuttings root in a few weeks if they are given some bottom heat. Plant out in spring[1].
Layering in spring or autumn. Plants can be 'dropped' and then dug up and divided about 6 - 12 months later. Dropping involves digging up the plant and then replanting it about 15 - 20cm deeper in the soil to encourage roots to form along the stems[2].
Cultivation: A calcifuge plant, it requires a light lime-free loam[1]. Grows well on sunny slopes, thriving in any soil that is not heavy or alkaline[1]. Plants can succeed in a slightly alkaline soil if it is rich in humus according to some reports[3][4]. Grows best in a poor soil[1]. Resents dry soils. Prefers an open situation.
A very ornamental plant[5], there are many named varieties[3].
A food plant for the caterpillars of many species of butterflies and moths as well as providing a food source for the moths and butterflies[6].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[7].
Range: Western Europe in Britain, France and N. Spain.
Habitat: Heaths in S. Cornwall, rare in Britain but locally common and abundant in Cornwall[8].
Usage: A dye is obtained from the flowers. No further details.
The twigs are used for making brushes, thatching, bedding etc and also as a fuel.
A good ground cover plant, though it might need weeding for the first year[9]. It can be clipped in spring to give denser growth[9][10]. Space the plants about 60cm apart each way[10].
Pollinators: Bees, flies, lepdioptera, self
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Wind: Tolerates strong winds
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Carter, David. Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe. Pan, 1982.
- ↑ Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Napier, Elspeth. Ground Cover Plants. Cassells, 1989.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Thomas, Graham. Plants for Ground Cover. Everyman, 1990.