Genus Erika(Erica) it got its name from the Greek word erice - "to break", since the branches of these plants are very fragile. It unites more than 500 species, most of which grow in South Africa and only a few in Asia and Europe. Eriks are shrubs and shrubs from 20 cm to 3 m and even trees (Erica arborea) up to 6 m in height. They are sometimes confused with heather because of their physical resemblance, although close examination reveals clear differences. Eric's leaves are arranged in whorls, rarely alternately, they are thin, needle-shaped. The calyx is not colored and is shorter than the corolla. Flowers are bell-shaped, pitcher-shaped, axillary, single or 2-4 in apical umbels, racemes or whorls.
Like heather, ericas cannot tolerate the presence of calcium and only grow on acidic soils, although there are exceptions. - for example, Erica herbal, or erika ruddy(Erica herbacea = Erica carnea), which prefers neutral or slightly acidic soils (pH 5.5 - 6.5). In horticultural practice, both names are used for this species, but botanists consider the former a priority.
Erica apical(Erica terminalis) and Erica Mediterranean(Erica mediterranea) even limed soils can withstand.
Most Eric are characterized by weak winter hardiness, they can only be cultivated in greenhouses and used, for example, in the design of winter gardens. Quite winter-hardy representatives of the genus include Erica herbal, Erica cruciferous(Erica tetralix),Erica Sizuyu(Erica cinerea) and hybrid Erica Darlien(Erica x darleyensis). However, only Erika herbal and its varieties have real frost resistance required in the climatic conditions of central Russia. Three other eriks and their varieties freeze too much, and they can be cultivated in the middle lane only with the obligatory winter shelter.
Erika herbal forms dense thickets in the northeastern Alps, the Balkan Peninsula, Western Bohemia and the Apennines. It is an evergreen shrub up to 25 cm high, with open branches. Shoots are tough, thin, completely covered with needle-like bright green leaves, 4-8 mm long, located in 4 whorls. Flowers pink or red, rarely white, exquisite bell-shaped, collected in a one-sided raceme 3-5 cm long, emerging from the axils of the leaves. The first flowers open in April, when the snow has not yet melted, as flower buds are laid in the previous summer. Abundant flowering continues throughout May.
The history of Eric's cultivation began in the middle of the 18th century in England, where, along with heather, they were used in the construction of heather orchards and rock gardens. Since then, a huge number of varieties have been bred. For flower growers of central Russia, varieties of erica herbal that have sufficient winter hardiness are of interest:
«Alba " - height 30-40 cm, crown diameter 40-45 cm, dark green leaves, small, dark pink flowers.
«Atrorubra " - height 15-25 cm, crown diameter 30-40 cm, dark green leaves, small, dark pink flowers.
«Snow Queen " - height 15-20 cm, crown diameter 20-25 cm, dark green leaves, small, pure white flowers.
«Louise Rubin " - height 15-20 cm, crown diameter 20-30 cm, leaves are bright green, small, lilac-pink flowers.
«Winter Beauty " - height 20 cm, crown diameter 40 cm, dark green leaves, pink flowers. Differs in abundant and long flowering.
«Vivellii " - height up to 15 cm, crown diameter 35 cm, blackish-dark green leaves, dark red flowers.
«Myreton Ruby " - height 20 cm, crown diameter 30-40 cm, dark green leaves, dark red flowers.
«March Seedling " - height 20-25 cm, crown diameter 30-40 cm, dark green leaves, gray in autumn, light pink flowers.
