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bobbejaantjie

speak to your nursery

bobbejaantjie
17 years ago

i often see on these web sites that some people say most heaths are from africa, thinking they thrive in the savannah. not so! most ericas and ericoid type vegetation grows in the western cape of south africa(something like 650species and that excludes related plants)they thrive in alkaline and acid sandy and rocky soils on coastal plains and mountains in a temperate climate(that means it can occasionally get nippy!). as some of these mountains are sometimes snow covered for weeks at a time there MUST be cold tolerant species! all it asks is for your local nurseryman to contact kirstenbosch gardens in cape town. except in very cold places like canada etc... i am not so sure whether they'll survive that kind of extreme cold!

on the south coast of south africa there are species that look very much like ericas which love ample watering as they live in a very wet mild climate(thinking of hot humid spots in the US with rain throughout the year)...in fact some of these plants are just as pretty as ericas especially the confetti bush (Coleonoma pulchrum) it flowers throughout winter and can withstand temperatures up to -15deg Celsius(black frost). it's pretty pink flowers picks well, it germinates easily from seed and has aromatic leaves...google it and have a look yourself

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