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Return to the Heaths & Heathers Forum | Post a Follow-Up

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Posted by bobbejaantjie (My Page) on

Thu, Jan 25, 07 at 15:23

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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Posted by buyorsell888 Portland Oregon (My Page) on
Mon, Feb 19, 07 at 19:32

The heaths sold in big box stores and grocery store florists that are from South Africa Erica persoluta are not hardy garden plants colder than zone 9, that is what we are talking about.

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Posted by bobbejaantjie (My Page) on
Fri, Feb 23, 07 at 16:33

that's why i say speak to your nursery as they can get hold of more cold resistant species. if u are interested in ericas you surely won't only buy them from the grocery stores. you have an option of about 650 species of ericas and maybe a 1000or more ericoid(erica like)plant species from s/africa...as far as i know there's some places that may be just as cold as portland...the skurweberg are known to experience permanent frosts sometimes throughout the year!

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Posted by buyorsell888 Portland Oregon (My Page) on
Sat, Mar 10, 07 at 13:24

There are many, many hardy heaths sold at garden centers here. I have at least a dozen in my yard.

The availability of hardy heaths isn't the issue.

If you read through this forum, many of the posts are by people who HAVE purchased E. persoluta from grocery stores and big box stores.

They want to know if it is hardy and it isn't.

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Posted by luckyladyd 6 (My Page) on
Thu, Mar 29, 07 at 8:04

Hi all, Hope you don't mind if I chime in here, as I just bought a new heather from Home Depot yesterday. It didn't occur to me that it wouldn't be suitable for the zone we live in (6), and after getting it home, I thought I'd like to get a few more to finish a bed. Now I wonder what I have. The tag just says Erica SP. It has pink flowers, says it will get one foot tall and three feet wide. The leaves are needley, rather than flat. Anyone know what I have and whether it will survive the winter here? Thanks.

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Posted by rockspray (My Page) on
Tue, Apr 17, 07 at 9:12

You most likely have purchased Erica carnea Springwood Pink.
Never trust a tag that does not have the botanical name and cultural information included USDA zones. Another reason to purchase plants from a reputable nursery which Home Depot, Lowes and Wall Mart are not. Price is not the most important factor if the plants don't live. Support your local farmers/nursery owners they are the ones who enhance your town and community. The CEO of Home Depot could care less about your town.

Here is a link that might be useful: Rock Spray Nursery

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Posted by buyorsell888 Zone 8 Portland OR (My Page) on
Wed, May 30, 07 at 20:11

If it was out in the garden center in a gallon can for about five bucks it likely is Erica carnea 'Springwood Pink' as already advised.

"spring heather" Erica persoluta is usually sold in the floral section with fancy wrap on it as a gift plant. It is usually much more expensive than the gallon nursery pots are too. Usually around fifteen bucks.

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