Presentation of the heather
Originally from Europe, this plant is characterized by a bushy evergreen. With a height not exceeding 50 cm in height, it is perfectly suited to the growing in pots or planters. It is available in different colors. At the time of its flowering, it is adorned with a multitude of small white, purple or pink flowers to bring cheerfulness in autumn and winter. But it has many other advantages:
- Rusticit can be planted regardless of the region of France in which you live.
- Very resistantit supports atmospheric pollution as well as climatic conditions and sea spray. The proof is that it is found in the wild on the entire Mediterranean rim, but also in regions where the soil is poor or rocky, as well as in moorland regions.
- It’s a plant easy to cultivate.
- Heather is a melliferous plant that will delight bees, but not only. For your part, you can use it in herbal tea, because it has antiseptic, sedative and diuretic properties. To do this, simply infuse 1 tablespoon of dried flowers in a cup of hot water for 10 minutes.
Planting heather in pots
As we have seen, heather accepts very well to live in pots. You can opt for a container, a planter or a pot of suitable size. But be careful, at the time of planting, the container must be double the size of your plant to ensure proper development. A criterion for buying the jar is that it must be pierced at the bottom to let the water drain out. From then on, your heather can easily thrive there. Here’s how:
- First put gravel or clay balls at the bottom to a thickness of 5 cm. This will promote water drainage.
- Add potting soil such as plantation or horticultural soil.
- Install the heather clod.
- If necessary, top up with potting soil.
- Tamp lightly.
- Carry out copious watering.
It will be necessary to repot your heather every two or three years.
To choose the right heather, you can opt for a variety with low development, such as heather ‘Erica’which will be more suitable for growing in pots.
You can choose to plant it alone or associated with other perennialsfor example.
Caring for your potted heather
Potted heather is cared for in the same way as if it were planted in the ground.
Site
In general, heathers like where they can take advantage of the sun’s rays. Sun and its warmth.
Watering
Regarding the watering of your heather, it must be regular. But beware ! Heather doesn’t like it at all excess watering. It will also be necessary to monitor that the water does not stagnate, at the risk of rotting the roots and seeing your heather die. It is therefore recommended to regularly empty the water that remains in the cups. In short, always water sparingly and let the surface soil dry out between two waterings.
If the pot is installed in such a way that it receives rainwater directly, then you will have almost nothing to do. In this case, it may also be better to remove the saucers under the pots, because the water could stagnate there every time it rains.
The size of the heather
Every year, when flowering ends, it is recommended to trim the heather. You can thus remove the withered branches. It is not necessary to touch the old wood. Pruning should be light and simply aimed at maintaining the shape of the plant. From then on, your heather will find a compact and bushy appearance. Thanks to this operation, your plant will remain healthy and thus its life will be extended.
Fertilizer supply
It is not necessary to use fertilizer for your heather because, as we have mentioned, the heather prefers poor soils on rich soils. Therefore, if the soil is too rich, your heather will struggle to flower.
Diseases and Parasites
Heather is a resistant plant which is only slightly susceptible to diseases and parasites. It can possibly suffer an attack of aphids. In this case, it will be enough to treat it with nettle manure.