Italian Heathers #71BR

October 19, 2022

Italian Heathers, whose botanical name is Erica Ventricosa, are a flowering shrub native to the mountain slopes of South Africa. They gained popularity in early nineteenth century England as a potted plant. Growing to a height of three feet and a width of two feet, the shrub sprouts abundant upright branches that are covered with narrow, dark-green, shimmering leaves. During late spring and early summer, the shrub begins to flower, producing thick clusters of rose-pink buds. As these buds grow longer into urn-shaped flowers, their color turns to a lighter shade of pink.

These Heathers like a full sun in moderate, coastal climates, but tolerate only partial sun in more warmer regions, as they do not like the hot, afternoon sun. In the U.S., this plant can be grown outdoors only in regions ten and eleven. They can be grown in containers, and then moved to avoid either too hot or cold conditions. Italian Heathers like a well draining, acidic soil, moist but not too wet, and they do not tolerate extreme dryness. When grown in conditioners, peat moss and compost can be used to provide proper drainage.

If I am fortunate to have you view my photographs and you find the color saturation too much or the color schemes of the mats do not match either themselves or the photograph, please let me know via a comment. Being color-blind, what might look great to me might look like sh*t to everyone else!

Steven H. Spring
Earth